By Laraba MUREY
Stakeholders have called for Nigeria to domesticate the Maputo Protocol on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights after a two-day meeting.
The meeting brought together participants representing government agencies, civil society organizations, legal and health professionals, traditional and religious leaders, persons with disabilities, and the media to deepen their understanding of Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol.
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) is the first human rights instrument that expressly articulates the rights of women and girls in Africa.
Its adoption was informed by a series of activities that started with the plans of Health and reproductive rights 309 action adopted in Dakar, Senegal, in 1994 and Beijing in 1995.1 the meeting called on the Nigerian government to speedily domesticate Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol should be domesticated into Nigerian law and prioritised.
The stakeholders also canvassed for the Reserved Seats Bill tobe strategically linked to its benefits for the advancement of advocacy for the domestication of Article 14 of the MP.
They further noted that SRHR should be regarded as a basic human right, not a privilege, so people can better advocate for these rights, while making the case that marital rape, adolescents’ access to contraceptives, and abortion should be prioritised in the context of SRHR.
Other demands for the meeting include establishment of inclusive, accessible shelters and support services should be available throughout Nigeria.
Advocacy via the media for the domestication of Art 14 of the MP should be stepped up as well as various sectors in society, like the executive, legislature, media, traditional and faith rulers, should be at the centre of the SRHR delivery system.
