Abstract

A range of factors in the Nigerian historical, political and cultural context either prevent or support gender justice in the practice of women's citizenship. This grant will allow the Initiative for Women's Studies in Nigeria, in collaboration with five women-centered organizations, to undertake an action research project on women's citizenship in practice, as distinct from the ideal enshrined in national legislation and international commitments. Researchers will examine how women's citizenship is mediated through family, community and civil society relationships, and analyze the struggle for women's rights in the context of legal pluralism. Researchers will focus on the issue of violence against women, which is prevalent throughout the federation, and examine the circumstances surrounding it - such as the application of customary laws and of criminal laws under Sharia - in five states across the country. The results will provide civil society groups with evidence to strengthen their advocacy efforts toward eliminating gender injustice.

Recipient Institution(s)