Children's Rights in Nigeria vs. International Law. A Comparative Study

Table of Contents

1. Chapter 1 Introduction

2. Chapter 2 Child Sexual Abuse

3. Chapter 3 Child Marriage

4. Chapter 4 Child Labour

5. Chapter 5 Conclusion

Research Objectives and Thematic Focus

This study aims to examine and compare the current status and implementation of child rights in Nigeria in relation to International Human Rights Law (IHRL), identifying key challenges and gaps in domestic legal frameworks to provide policy recommendations for enhanced protection.

• The legal alignment and interoperability between Nigerian domestic laws and IHRL.
• Provisions and challenges regarding Child Sexual Abuse in the Nigerian legal system.
• Sociocultural and legal complexities surrounding the practice of Child Marriage.
• Economic and regulatory dimensions of Child Labour and the effectiveness of existing legislative responses.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the significance of child rights worldwide, sets the research context for Nigeria, and outlines the objectives of comparing domestic laws with international standards.

Chapter 2 Child Sexual Abuse: Analyzes the legal framework in Nigeria regarding sexual abuse and evaluates the effectiveness of current legislation compared to international expectations.

Chapter 3 Child Marriage: Investigates the complex legal and social landscape of child marriage in Nigeria and assesses the compatibility of local practices with international human rights treaties.

Chapter 4 Child Labour: Explores the economic and cultural drivers of child labour in Nigeria and examines the enforcement mechanisms of the Child Rights Act and other relevant statutes.

Chapter 5 Conclusion: Summarizes key research findings across the three main areas and offers policy recommendations for national and state-level improvements.

Keywords

Child Rights, Nigeria, International Human Rights Law, Child Sexual Abuse, Child Marriage, Child Labour, Legal Framework, Implementation, Legislation, Enforcement, Child Protection, Human Rights, Policy Recommendation, Socio-economic Factors, Cultural Practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The dissertation focuses on comparing the legal frameworks governing child rights in Nigeria with established International Human Rights Law (IHRL), specifically examining the implementation gaps.

What are the three main thematic areas of the study?

The study investigates Child Sexual Abuse, Child Marriage, and Child Labour as the three critical pillars of the research.

What is the main objective of this study?

The primary goal is to investigate how Nigerian laws align with international standards and to identify the challenges in protecting children’s rights in order to suggest strategies for effective legislation.

What methodology is employed to conduct this research?

The study utilizes a doctrinal and qualitative research approach, relying on a review of relevant literature, statutes, judicial decisions, and various policy reports.

What does the main body of the work address?

The main chapters provide an in-depth analysis of specific child abuse issues, comparing domestic legislative provisions against international treaties like the UNCRC and the African Charter.

Which key terms characterize this research?

The work is defined by concepts such as legal harmonization, enforcement, child protection, the Rights of the Child, and the impact of socio-cultural norms on legislative effectiveness.

Why does the author argue that the Nigerian Criminal Code is outdated?

The author highlights that the code lacks comprehensive updates for decades, failing to effectively address contemporary criminal challenges and creating significant legal gaps.

What role do environmental and cultural factors play in the persistence of child abuse?

Factors such as poverty, ethnic conflict, religious crises, and traditional justifications for practices like child betrothal significantly impede the effective implementation of child rights protection.