Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Global Feminism

The Nigerian penal code’s section 55, which states that you can beat your wife up to a point when it does not cause harm, made me feel ashamed and embarrassed because I’m from Nigeria. A distinct culture (the Hausa) known as the Muslim Northerners, whose form of government is founded on their religion and culture, dominates the Nigerian system. This law is a “Northern law,” meaning that not all Nigerians must abide by it. The Nigerian government and legislation may be affected by these Northerners, but it is not the dominant law or constitutional law, and as a Nigerian Yoruba girl, I am not subject to this law. It applies to Northerners and is a component of sharia law. It is unfortunate how relative our oppression can be very tragic.

In addition, I am not required to leave my home state because I am married, and each state has its own rules that govern everyone. I am aware of the injustice of the system, but the Northerners are subject to sharia law, and changing this is difficult. No one is too young, according to Afolabi, to fight for gender equality, the right to one’s own body, and the elimination of discrimination till justice prevails.

Furthermore, it is against the constitutional law for children to be abused, oppressed, and exploited against their wishes. While child marriage and exploitation are prohibited by Nigerian constitutional law, Northerner law, which is a form of sharia law, encourages child marriage and discourages education. The main factors working against the rights of girls are the traditional practices that are interconnected to Nigeria’s dominating patriarchal system, in northern Nigeria.

United nations-Working Group on discrimination against women and girls