THE NEED TO FULLY INCORPORATE MAPUTO PROTOCOL INTO NIGERIAN LAWS – Rev. Osuoha 

    The Maputo Protocol, as a document, is one of the world’s most comprehensive and progressive Women human rights instrument adopted by Heads of State and Government in Maputo, Mozambique on the eleventh of July 2003.

     Currently, 44 out of 55 African Union member countries have fully ratified the Maputo Protocol in their various nations.

    Although Nigeria as a member nation ratified the Maputo Protocol in December 16th, 2004, the articles of ratification were deposited on February 18th, 2005 in line with it’s obligations as a member of the African Union, unfortunately, Nigeria is yet to fully incorporate it’s progressive provisions into her national laws.

    It is because of this none full incorporation that some women-led non- governmental organizations(NGOS) such as Alliances  for Africa(AFA) and Equity Now under the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) are partnering to ensure the full incorporation of Maputo Protocol into Nigerian’s law.

   There’s no gainsaying the fact that these NGOS are really pulling the strings in protection of the woman and girl child rights especially if one computes the statistical data of the violation of  women’s rights in Nigeria and Africa at large.

   Our federal legislators should be upbeat in this direction for the good of the women and girl child they represent.

   Recently, speaking after having been conferred with a doctorate degree (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration by Hezekiah University Ishiala Umudi Nkwerre, the wife of the State Governor, Dr Barr Chioma Uzodinma vowed to continue her campaign against the violation of women’s rights and girl child.

  Again, as part of the women’s day celebration in the State, the Alliance for Africa carried her campaign to the State Secretariat of the NUJ where they had an interface with the Ifeanyi Nwanguma-led Union members. The purpose of the visit was to drag the media in into the crusade for the full incorporation of the Maputo Protocol in Nigeria law.

   The Maputo Protocol should be given it’s proper place in the Nigerian legal framework as it will guarantee the women’s rights to participate in Nigerian political process unhindered.

   The Maputo Protocol will ensure equality between men and women, prohibit harmful practices like female genital mutilation, protect women’s reproductive health as well as end violence against women in general.

   Since the Africa Union is monitoring the implementation of Maputo Protocol, Nigeria as a member state should, as a matter of urgency, integrate a gender perspective into her development plans because a stitch in time saves nine.