The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women stands up against Nigerian Pressure

On October 1, 2008 · In Nigeria, Women's Rights Under Shariah Law

Fighting Shariah, One woman at a time!

Hauwa Yahaya-Sani, after attending a sensitisation workshop on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women contends that domestic rape, pegging marriageable age at 17, religion and socio-cultural practices are the major impediments to its full domestication in the country.

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a human rights treaty for the women fold. The UN General Assembly adopted the CEDAW convection on 19th December 1979. CEDAW is one of the most highly ratified international human rights conventions, having the support of 185 states parties. Little wonder, CEDAW is often described as an international bill of rights for women.

Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitute discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discriminations.

CEDAW has been ratified without reservations by Nigeria since 1985. The implication of such ratification is that Nigeria has committed herself to the full implementation of all the articles since countries that have ratified or acceded to the convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice.

So what stalls the CEDAW Domestication Bill? Senator Dahiru, Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights posits that it was the 2007 elections.

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