APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN DURING ARMED CONFLICT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Throughout history, wars have been accompanied by atrocities, enormous cruelty, and violence, which from the contemporary legal perspective ought to be seen as mass violations of human rights. Every armed conflict takes a cruel toll on all members of society, regardless of their gender, age, skin color, nationality, or ethnic origin. In situations of Armed Conflict, Women and Children constitute the vast majority of civilian casualties, as they are the most vulnerable. The aim of this research is to appraise the legal framework that protects Women and Children during Armed Conflict in Nigeria. The research adopted a doctrinal method of research to achieve the research aim, which entails the use of both primary and secondary sources such as textbooks, Journals, articles, seminar papers, relevant statutes, case laws, robust consultation, comparison, and overview of books, journals articles in order to buttress the salient points of the researcher. Additionally, an analytical approach was adopted which involves critical thinking skills and the evaluation of facts and information relative to the research being conducted. The findings revealed that some of the challenges in the protection of Women and Children during Armed Conflict are the Lack of Clear Policies to Protect Civilians, the Breakdown of Law and Order during Armed Conflict, Non-Compliance by Armed Conflict, Lack of Funding, Lack of Political Will and lack of enforcement mechanism and Laws are not made specifically for war times. Some of the recommendations are: The Federal Government of Nigeria should put in mechanisms to ensure the training programs for Institutions engaged in the Protection of Women and Children during Armed Conflict and the domestic institutions that are mandated to handle humanitarian situations such as the National Emergency Management Agency and other non-governmental organizations should be adequately funded to boost their morale and acquire the necessary equipment to do their work. Ultimately, the protection of women and children in armed conflict is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative. Strengthening Nigeria’s legal framework, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and conducting training programs for civilians and non-civilians are essential steps toward creating a system that genuinely safeguards the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable members of society during times of war.