The Right to Participate in Political and Decision-Making Process under the Maputo Protocol: Normative Masculinity and Nigerian Women

Abstract

The birth of the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa otherwise known as Maputo Protocol was meant to overcome the shortcomings of the African Charter on Human Rights. Despite Nigeria’s ratification of the protocol, little concrete achievements have been recorded. This study situates the right of Nigerian women to participate in political and decision-making process under the Maputo Protocol in the context of normative and hegemonic barriers in the country. Using analytical methodology, the paper argues that the underrepresentation of Nigerian women in public governance is a negation of human rights. The domestication of the Protocol is recommended.

Keywords

• political empowerment
• human rights
• democracy
• maputo protocol
• masculinity
• development