Benue State University, Makurdi

Impediments to the Realization of the Reproductive Health and Rights of Women in Northern Nigeria

Appolos Dimas and Ogbole, Charity Oganya

Abstract

More than twenty years ago after the Beijing and International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), women in Nigeria, particularly from the northern part are still not in control of their sexual and reproductive health rights. Even though, reproductive health rights are not expressly stated in the Nigerian constitution, it can be implied from a community reading of chapter four of the 1999 constitution. Aside the constitution, there are several other legislations as well as government policies that are aimed at promoting the reproductive health rights of women in Nigeria, yet, achieving same remains a mirage. Several factors are responsible for the setback in realizing such rights. It was found out in this article that some of the factors responsible are: lack of robust legal framework, poverty, illiteracy, cultural and religious factors just to mention a few. The article concluded by making some recommendations that will helpful in the realizations of these rights by women of northern Nigeria.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE (CLICK)