BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights (BAOBAB) has called on the National Assembly to domesticate the Maputo Protocol to improve the lives and well-being of women in Nigeria.
Development Diaries reports that the Executive Director of BAOBAB, Bunmi Dipo-Salami, made the call to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol.
Officially known as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on Rights of Women in Africa, the Maputo Protocol is an international human rights instrument established by the African Union (AU) and came into effect in 2005.
The comprehensive rights of women, including the right to take part in the political process, social and political equality with men, improved autonomy in their reproductive health decisions, and an end to female genital mutilation are guaranteed by the protocol.
Women’s representation in Nigerian politics has been on a downward slide since 2011, with the number of women in Nigeria’s National Assembly, following the 2023 general election, falling by 19 percent.
‘On this occasion of the 20th anniversary of the protocol, BAOBAB calls on the leadership of the National Assembly through its President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, to consider its domestication’, Dipo-Salami said.
‘Domesticate the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa in the interest of Nigeria’.
Development Diaries calls on Senator Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure women-inclusive laws are passed by the tenth National Assembly.
Photo source: Godswill Apkabio
