FAMILY LAW AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: EXAMINING ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION

Abstract

This paper provided a comprehensive examination of the nexus between family law and reproductive health rights in Nigeria, with a specific focus on access to contraception and abortion. Despite Nigeria's commitment to various international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the country's family law and reproductive health policies often fail to prioritize women's rights and well-being. The purpose of this research is to investigate the ways in which Nigeria's family law and reproductive health policies shape access to contraception and abortion, and to identify the gaps in existing literature on this topic. This research aimed to contribute to the growing body of scholarship advocating for the advancement of reproductive health rights in Nigeria. Using the doctrinal/analytical approach, this study revealed significant barriers to accessing contraception and abortion in Nigeria. Key findings indicated that restrictive laws and policies, combined with societal stigma and lack of awareness, hinder women's ability to make informed reproductive choices. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact of these barriers on vulnerable populations, including adolescents, rural women, and women living with HIV/AIDS. This study concluded that Nigeria's family law and reproductive health policies must be reformed to prioritize women's rights and well-being. Recommendations included decriminalizing abortion, increasing access to contraception, and promoting comprehensive reproductive health education. The study also emphasized the need for increased funding and support for reproductive health programs and services in Nigeria. At length, this research contributed to the growing body of scholarship advocating for the advancement of reproductive health rights in Nigeria, and highlighted the need for policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to prioritize women's reproductive health and well-being.