International Human Rights Law Protecting against Domestic Violence in Nigeria: A Focus on Violence against Woman

Millions of women worldwide are affected by domestic violence, which occurs in many cultures. However, feminist movements that influenced the latter half of the 20th century are largely responsible for the relatively recent recognition of domestic violence as a matter of international human rights. Domestic violence affects both men and women, as well as children. This article, however, focusses on the experiences of women because statistics show that women are most often the victims of domestic violence. Women in Nigeria have been victims of rape, physical assault, psychological abuse, human trafficking, and femicide, among other types of domestic violence. The aim of this article is to examine the extent to which international human rights laws have helped in the control of domestic violence issues in Nigeria. It will also evaluate how Nigeria’s efforts to combat domestic violence have been influenced by the rights-based approach, which is informed by the ideas of State accountability and due diligence. The doctrinal research method was employed in carrying-out this research. This entails the use of primary and secondary sourced materials such as statute, case laws, textbooks, articles from reputable journals, newspaper publications, and online sourced materials. The article found among others that Nigeria’s legal system has not been successful in combating domestic violence. It is in this light that the article recommended among others that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 should be amended to incorporate the concepts of State responsibility and due diligence, holding the State liable for any individual acts of domestic violence against women.