JOhn,

Equal application of laws matters. When men are legally allowed to physically “punish” or “correct” their wives, violence is sanctioned within the law itself. It’s a long way from protecting women’s rights.

But it’s perfectly legal in parts of Nigeria.

Unprotected due to ‘native law or custom’

Nigeria’s Constitution states that no citizen should be subject to disabilities or restrictions by any law that another is not, just because of their sex, religion, or membership in an ethnic group. Despite this, the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria provides that an assault by a man on a woman is not an offense if they are married and if native law or custom recognizes such “correction” as lawful as long as the assault does not amount to “grievous hurt” (such as life-threatening injuries and permanent impairment). Any level of violence is never excusable. Women should be protected from violence inside or outside of marriage, regardless of religious or cultural norms. 

When laws permit violence by husbands against wives, they perpetuate or even promote intimate partner violence against women and girls, because there is little to deter perpetrators, and inadequate recourse for victims, leaving women nowhere to turn. 

Call on President Muhammadu Buhari to turn words into deeds, and protect women and girls from violence. Take action today.

In Solidarity 

Bryna Subherwal

Advocacy Campaign Manager