UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 60) Since the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Women and Social Development and its equivalents in the States, efforts have been made to consolidate and strengthen policies and programmes which will eliminate violence against women and provide support for victims. A product of these efforts is the Violence Against Persons Bill being considered in the National Assembly.

Para 62) Under section 46 (1) of the Constitution, women who are victims of violence and discrimination may apply to a High Court for redress by way of fundamental rights enforcement proceedings in the event of the application of any law that allows violence and discrimination against them. Nigerian courts have on several occasions declared null and void all laws and customs that are not in the spirit of the Constitution in this regard.

Para 64) The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is engaged in continuous advocacy to legislators, policy makers and other stakeholders on the imperative to pass the CEDAW bill currently pending before the National Assembly. Government has taken necessary steps also to engage traditional and religious leaders on the importance of eradicating negative cultural practices from their communities. Some States of the federation have passed laws eradicating some of these practices, including Female Genital Mutilation and harmful widowhood rights.

Para 65) Various actions are being taken, including strengthening of laws and policies as well as their implementation, strengthening of human resources and police institutional reforms to eradicate negative cultural practices at the Federal and state levels.

Para 66) Nigeria in its efforts to improve the rights of women and ensuring that all administrative and policy bottlenecks that hinder women from exercising their rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other international instruments of human rights, adopted a Gender Policy by approving the establishment of Gender Desks in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government with a view to mainstreaming gender issues in all their activities.

Para 67) The National Orientation Agency organizes sensitization programmes for the public on the harmful effects of traditional practices against women, especially widows. Government will continue to intensify efforts to raise awareness as well as disseminate information on the value of human rights among traditional and religious leaders in order to curb negative traditional practices.

Para 73) ... The Akwa Ibom State Government has passed a law abolishing the stigmatization of any child in Akwa Ibom State as a witch: following this, several people found violating this law have been arrested.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 53) JS 2 stated that while there was no legislation at the federal level prohibiting female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM), a number of states have adopted legislation in this regard. However, enforcement of this legislation has been a challenge.

National Report:
Para 40) … b) … Sections 30-33 of the Child Rights Act also prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;

UN Compilation:
Para 42) CEDAW was concerned that Nigeria remained a source, transit and destination country for trafficking in persons, particularly women and girls, for purposes of sexual and labour exploitation.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 52) JS4 stated that Nigeria had been a source, transit and destination country for trafficking of children for sexual exploitation. Discussions had been ongoing among government ministries on the formulation of a new national action plan.
Para 53) JS15 stated that … girls were at risk of being trafficked to other parts of the country to work as “house-helps”.
Para 73) JS16 stated that the education system was severely underfunded resulting in a lack of proper infrastructure, inadequate classrooms and teaching aids. There were … sexual abuse, …
Para 97) PJ stated that in the camp for internally displaced persons, women and girls had been exposed to sexual abuse, ... and prostitution…

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 35) CHRI stated that in November 2012, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a second reading of the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill. If this Bill is passed it would further entrench discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation.