IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF LAW AND GLOBAL POLICY (JLGP )

E-ISSN 2579-051X
P-ISSN 2695-2424
VOL. 9 NO. 2 2024
DOI: 10.56201/JLGP.v9.no2.2024.pg126.138

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Appraisal Of the Legal and Institutional Frameworks on Eradication of Harmful Cultural Practices of Female Genital Mutilation and Widowhood Practices in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Seun Omowonuola AFOLAYAN,

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Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation and Widowhood Practice is one of the cultural harmful practices suffered by women in Nigeria. This remains a pervasive issue in Ekiti State, with significant consequences for victims. This study evaluates the effectiveness of legal and institutional frameworks in eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and harmful widowhood practices in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Despite international and national efforts to abolish these practices, they persist due to cultural and social norms.This study employs a doctrinal approach to examine the legal frameworks governing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and harmful widowhood practices in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The doctrinal analysis reveals significant shortcomings, including inadequate definitions, insufficient penalties, and limited jurisdictional scope. Furthermore, inconsistencies between federal and state laws, and the lack of effective implementation mechanisms, undermine efforts to eradicate these harmful practices. The research aims to critically analyze the existing laws, policies, and judicial decisions to identify gaps and inconsistencies hindering effective eradication. Through a comprehensive review of relevant statutes, case laws, and policy documents, this study evaluates the adequacy of Nigeria's legal framework in addressing FGM and widowhood practices. Particular attention is paid to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law 2019, The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of women in Africa. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the current legal framework and identifies areas for improvement. The study aims to educate and enhance the protection of women from such cultural harmful practices. It also analyses that female Genital Mutilation and widowhood practice

keywords:

Female, Genital-mutilation, Widowhood, Harmful-practices, Culture

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References:

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LIST OF STATUES
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
Violence
Against
Person
Prohibition
Act,
2015
retrieved
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fida.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Violence-
Against-Persons-Prohibition-Act-2015-
1.pdf&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiGzvzkobGIAxVhgf0HHQdDGMsQFnoECAYQAQ&u
sg=AOvVaw0SkXY3BRfWnJ6Gj6pdy4za on 7th September, 2024
3. Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law (2019) retrieved from
https://www.ekitistate.gov.ng/about-ekiti/ekiti-
laws&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiRw7vLorGIAxUxg_0HHQElDGUQFnoECBgQAQ&u
sg=AOvVaw01sVAO0as98r7d_woue9P6, on 7th September 2024
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of women in
Africa retrieved from https://search.app/a4YZ6kKFttU7Yo4s8 on 29th of November, 2024

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