11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Information on economic discrimination against women ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 19933]

"Women also experienced considerable economic discrimination. While there are no laws barring women from particular fields of employment, women often experienced discrimination under traditional and religious practices. The Nigerian NGOs Coalition expressed concern regarding continued discrimination against women in the private sector, particularly in access to employment, promotion to higher professional positions, and salary equality. There were credible reports that several businesses operated with a "get pregnant, get fired" policy. Women remained underrepresented in the formal sector but played an active and vital role in the country's informal economy. While the number of women employed in the business sector increased every year, women did not receive equal pay for equal work and often found it extremely difficult to acquire commercial credit or to obtain tax deductions or rebates as heads of households. Unmarried women in particular endured many forms of discrimination."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Women remain marginalized - not allowed to own land or inherit their husbands property ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23739]

"Although some women made considerable individual progress in both the academic and business worlds, women overall remained marginalized. Although women were not legally barred from owning land, under some customary land tenure systems only men could own land, and women could gain access to land only through marriage or family. In addition many customary practices did not recognize a woman's right to inherit her husband's property, and many widows were rendered destitute when their in-laws took virtually all of the deceased husband's property."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Widows face social restrictions ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23740]

"In some parts of the country, widows experienced unfavorable conditions as a result of discriminatory traditional customs and economic deprivation. "Confinement," which occurred predominantly in the east, was the most common rite of deprivation to which widows were subjected. Confined widows were under social restrictions for as long as one year and usually were expected to shave their heads and dress in black as part of a culturally mandated mourning period. In other areas a widow was considered a part of her husband's property, to be "inherited" by his family. Shari'a personal law protects widows' property rights, and an NGO reported that many women succeeded in protecting their rights in Shari'a courts."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Although women gained better access to education over the years they face societal discrimination; in some ethnic groups marital rape is not considered a crime ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20575]

"Nigerian women face societal discrimination, although educational opportunities have eroded a number of barriers over the years. In some ethnic groups, women are denied equal rights to inherit property, and marital rape is not considered a crime."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Scarce representation of women in politics ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19882]

"Although there were more than 500 ministerial and National Assembly positions, there were only eight female ministers, three female senators, and 12 female representatives at the end of the year."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In parts of the country widows were discriminated agaist as a result of discriminatory traditional customs and economic deprivation ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19934]

"In some parts of the country, widows experienced unfavorable conditions as a result of discriminatory traditional customs and economic deprivation. "Confinement," which occurred predominantly in the east, was the most common rite of deprivation to which widows were subjected. Confined widows were under social restrictions for as long as one year and usually were expected to shave their heads and dress in black as part of a culturally mandated mourning period. In other areas a widow was considered a part of her husband's property, to be "inherited" by his family. Shari'a personal law protects widows' property rights, and an NGO reported that many women succeeded in protecting their rights in Shari'a courts."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

In many areas girls are discriminated against in their access to education ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17977]

"In many areas, girls are discriminated against in their access to education for social and economic reasons; religious beliefs sometimes are a factor. Girls living in the more traditional rural areas, both in the predominantly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south, are disadvantaged more than their urban counterparts."

Document(s): Open document

09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

In some ethnic groups, women are denied equal rights to inherit property; marital rape is not considered a crime ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18270]

"Nigerian women face societal discrimination, although educational opportunities have eroded a number of barriers over the years. In some ethnic groups, women are denied equal rights to inherit property and marital rape is not considered a crime."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Women face different forms of discrimination, for example in the workplace ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 18308]

"With regard to women's rights, Nigeria remains a firmly male-dominated society. Only 24 of the 469 members of the National Assembly are women, and women face significant discrimination in the workplace. President Obasanjo has made some effort to reduce this trend by naming an increasing number of women to high-level positions in his government, including four ministerial positions, most notably the powerful position of Finance Minister. Women's organizations across the country have also increased their political advocacy, winning important legal battles that expand women's protections under the Sharia code, such as the internationally covered case of Amina Lawal, who would have been stoned to death for adultery had she been convicted."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Purdah continues in parts of the country ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17087]

"Purdah, the practice of keeping girls and women in seclusion from men outside the family, continued in parts of the country, which restricted the freedom of movement of women."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Prostitution particularly in urban areas a problem ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17416]

"Prostitution was a serious social problem, particularly in urban areas. There are statutes at both the federal and state levels criminalizing prostitution. All states that have adopted Shari'a have criminalized prostitution, and this ban was enforced with varying degrees of success. The police frequently use the anti-prostitution statutes as tools for harassment, arresting offenders and holding them until they pay a bribe, but rarely prosecuting the cases in court."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Women often experienced discrimination under customary and religious practices ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17417]

"Women also experienced considerable discrimination. While there are no laws barring women from particular fields of employment, women often experienced discrimination under customary and religious practices. The Nigerian NGOs Coalition expressed concern regarding continued discrimination against women in the private sector, particularly in access to employment, promotion to higher professional positions, and salary equality. There were credible reports that several businesses operated with a "get pregnant, get fired" policy. Women remained underrepresented in the formal sector but played an active and vital role in the country's informal economy. While the number of women employed in the business sector increased every year, women did not receive equal pay for equal work and often found it extremely difficult to acquire commercial credit or to obtain tax deductions or rebates as heads of households. Unmarried women in particular endured many forms of discrimination. The NDHS survey showed that women had significant control over the income they generate (73.4 percent made sole decisions on how such income is to be used), but that men largely controlled decisions regarding such problems as children's and women's own health care. While some women made considerable individual progress both in the academic and business world, women overall remained underprivileged. Although women were not legally barred from owning land, under some customary land tenure systems only men could own land, and women could gain access to land only through marriage or family. In addition, many customary practices did not recognize a woman's right to inherit her husband's property, and many widows were rendered destitute when their in-laws took virtually all of the deceased husband's property. Widows were subjected to unfavorable conditions as a result of discriminatory traditional customs and economic deprivation. "Confinement" was the most common rite of deprivation to which widows were subjected, and it occurred predominately in the east. Confined widows were under restrictions for as long as one year and usually were required to shave their heads and dress in black. In other areas, a widow was considered a part of her husband's property, to be "inherited" by his family. Shari'a personal law protects widows' property rights, and an NGO reported that many women succeeded in protecting their rights in Shari'a courts."

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Some women have made individual progress but remain underprivileged ("Country Report - October 2003") [#17332],  [ID 15169]

"6.105 There are no legal impediments to political participation or voting by women. Men continued to dominate the political arena. NGO's continue to protest about the under representation of women in the political process. In President Obasanjo's first cabinet, only 6 women were appointed. There were 3 women among the Senate's 109 members, and only 12 women were elected to the 360 member House of Representatives. Women's rights groups pushed local, state, and the Federal Government to adopt a 30% affirmative action program; however, these efforts were unsuccessful.

6.106 Women are not barred from seeking redress through the courts, although the expense precludes many. There are no legal provisions barring women from testifying in a civil court of law. However the testimony of women is given less weight in a Muslim Shari'a court.

6.107 There are no legal impediments relating to either female employment or political participation, although women frequently have to encounter prejudice in male dominated fields such as law and politics. While some women have made considerable individual progress, both in the academic and business world, women remain underprivileged. Women are not barred legally from owning land, but under some customary land tenure systems only men can own land, and women can gain access to land only through marriage or family. In addition many customary practices do not recognise a woman's right to inherit her husband's property, and many widows are rendered destitute when their in-laws take virtually all of the deceased husband's property. Widows are subjected to unfavourable conditions as a result of discriminatory traditional customs and economic deprivation. "Confinement" is the most common rite of deprivation to which widows are subjected; this practice occurs predominately in eastern Nigeria."

Document(s): Open document

07.10.2002 - Source: US Department of State

USDOS: Discrimination against girl-child in both northern and southern states ("International Religious Freedom Report 2002") [#8895],  [ID 15171]

"In many parts of the country, girls are discriminated against in their access to education for social and economic reasons; religious beliefs sometimes are a factor. Girls living in the more traditional rural areas, both in the predominantly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south, are disadvantaged even more than their urban counterparts. In the north, Muslim communities favor boys over girls in deciding which children to enroll in secondary and elementary schools."

Document(s): Open document