Women's Rights Violation: The Experience of Rivers State 1999-2015

Abstract

The study examined violation of women's rights; the experience of Rivers State, 1999-2023. The study anchored its argument on the Liberal Feminism theory, Propounded by Elizabeth Cody Stanton in 1815. The study relied on primary and secondary sources particularly oral evidences using historical and analytical methods of analysis. The multi-disciplinary approach of gathering information was also used in the study. The Study revealed that, in the communities in Rivers State women fundamental rights are constantly violated, that in some communities a woman is not allowed to remarry after their husband's death, some are asked or force to remarry the relatives of their late husband against their wishes. The paper further revealed that, the case is different when it comes to men, they have the choice to do what they want. The study concluded that Rivers women should know their rights and insist on them being respected without fear of intimidation, victimization and contradictions. Based on the findings, the study recommended that in a society like Rivers State where these cultural infringements of women's rights are known, any young woman who want to go into marriage, should do a sort of an agreement with the families. This agreement should state that both parties are allowed to remarry should a party died. Secondly, parents should learn to give the girl-child their portion of inheritance before they die. International non-governmental Organizations such as the Amnesty International (AI) should not beam their search light only on the government, but also on the culture of the people to protect the rights of the vulnerable.

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