HUMAN RIGHTS DEPRIVATION, A CASE STUDY OF AFRICAN WIDOWS

ABSTRACT

In Africa, especially, West Africa, the issue of human rights deprivation of widows is at a worrisome rate. The failure to focus on the conditions in which widows live in many different cultures and countries is particularly reprehensible considering the seriousness of the deprivation suffered, and how badly it affects their welfare. This research examines the human rights deprivation of African widows. The study sets out to examine the legal framework available for the protection of widows’ rights in Africa. It was shown that there are several international instruments have guaranteed their protection which include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. The Nigerian National laws available for protection of widows include the Nigerian Constitution, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, and the Criminal Code. However, it was shown that these provisions are applicable in equal measure to both widows and widowers and only Nigerian states have enacted specific laws for the protection of widows. The research also shows that cultural beliefs, poverty and socio-economic status of widows, poor awareness campaign in rural areas, male dominance, and illiteracy are the major issues militating against the effective enforcement of widowhood practice laws in Africa. The research therefore recommends that there is a need to appropriate relevant legal frameworks, law reforms and the policies on widowhood rituals prevention across sectors and communities, providing training and raising initiatives. A task force on widowhood practices should be set up by the federal government. This development would bring about proper enforcement of the law against these ignoble acts.