A felony justice-focused civil society group, Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), in partnership with the Nationwide Human Rights Fee (NHRC), has known as for pressing gender-sensitive reforms and a moratorium on the demise penalty in Nigeria, following the discharge of a research exposing systemic injustices confronted by ladies on demise row.
The NHRC disclosed this in a press assertion on Monday.
The research, titled ‘Gender and the Demise Penalty in Nigeria,’ was unveiled at a validation assembly in Abuja on Monday, supported by the World Coalition In opposition to the Demise Penalty and the French Growth Company (AFD).
It sheds gentle on the distinctive and sometimes neglected challenges confronting ladies sentenced to demise underneath Nigeria’s statutory, customary, and Sharia authorized methods.
Although ladies represent a minority on demise row, the analysis—based mostly on surveys with 60 feminine inmates throughout 10 states and interviews with authorized and civil society stakeholders—reveals a disturbing sample of discrimination, poverty, and gender-based violence shaping their convictions.
Key findings
The research discovered, amongst different issues, that 37 per cent of the ladies had skilled home or gender-based violence and 75 per cent have been unaware of the legal guidelines underneath which they have been charged.
Additionally, the research discovered that 70 per cent have been moms, leaving their youngsters “in weak or fragmented care, creating new layers of social and emotional trauma.”
It additionally revealed that over 85 per cent believed the authorized system is inherently unfair to ladies and 57% per cent reported an absence of transparency throughout their trials.
The report additionally underscores how patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes affect investigations and sentencing, significantly in instances involving infidelity, spousal battle, infertility, or perceived ethical failings.
Regardless of these challenges, the vast majority of ladies expressed hope for rehabilitation, in accordance with the research.
It added that greater than 80 per cent supported restorative justice approaches—together with vocational coaching, counselling, and group reintegration—over capital punishment.
Suggestions
Primarily based on the research, the HBBA and the NHRC known as for a declaration of “a moratorium on executions as a step towards abolition in keeping with world human rights requirements”.
In addition they known as for the mixing of “gender-sensitive sentencing and evidentiary reforms into felony justice processes; increasing entry to authorized support and making certain well timed, clear trials.”
Their different suggestions are: “Expanded entry to authorized support and clear judicial processes; Improved jail circumstances for girls, together with reproductive and psychological well being care; Funding in rehabilitation and reintegration programmes; and Public schooling to problem dangerous cultural practices and promote authorized literacy.”
Talking on the occasion, HBBA Government Director Funke Adeoye mentioned “Girls’s experiences on demise row will not be remoted felony instances, however signs of systemic inequality and injustice.”
She emphasised that abolishing the demise penalty and embracing restorative justice would affirm Nigeria’s dedication to human rights and the dignity of all residents.
The report marks a important step within the nationwide dialog on justice reform and the safety of weak populations inside Nigeria’s authorized system.
In 2024, CLEEN Basis highlighted a few of these points confronted by ladies within the felony justice system. Nearly a 12 months later, the challenges persist, reflecting a necessity for pressing motion and coverage to dismantle these boundaries.
Based on the NHRC, the survey targeted on 60 females on demise row throughout 10 states. These ladies have been largely younger, impoverished, and survivors of abuse, 75 per cent of whom have been unaware of the legal guidelines “underneath which they have been charged.”
Defence attorneys, civil society actors, and state attorneys have been additionally interviewed. Findings confirmed that poverty, violence, and restricted entry to justice lead to demise sentences.
