Child/Forced Marriage and Human Rights of Women in Nigeria: A Legal Anatomy

Abstract

It is a notorious fact that in patriarchal societies such as those of Nigeria, women are disadvantaged by
discriminatory customary practices that assigned gender roles on them which subordinate them to men.
This has mounted immense pressure on women such that they keep struggling in order to be seen in all
spheres of life.171 The most highlighted of these gender discriminatory customary practices is
child/forced marriage. It is unarguable that the rights of the child all over the world are considered to be
paramount, inalienable and inderogable. This is why there have been several outcries against the
continued practice of child/forced marriage in most developing, underdeveloped and the Arab countries
of the world. The danger associated with child/forced marriage is legion and if not urgently nipped on
the bud, will reduce the women folk to mere logs of wood. Using empirical and doctrinal research
methods, this work critically examined the practice of child/forced marriage in Nigeria and found out
that this customary practice still thrives in Nigeria, mostly in Northern parts of Nigeria.
Recommendations were made strict adherence to which shall throw this menace into the oblivion.