JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

In undertaking an assessment of one hundred years of women's struggle in Nigeria (1914-2014), this paper attempts to examine the woman question in the making of Nigeria's State. It provides some historical context to the global women's movement and feminists' struggle that existed long before the country Nigeria was born. In situating women's struggle within Nigeria, this work considers broadly the socio-economic, political and legal status of women in colonial and post- independence Nigeria. How women in Nigeria engaged during both eras and within the larger context of global movement for women's rights and the impact thereof. It discussed, in particular, milestones recorded towards gender equality and women's empowerment and the barricades one hundred years after that must be overcome to end discrimination in law and in practice, including addressing violence against women and poverty as the most pervasive forms of violations of women's human rights. As the paper argues accountability to women and girls rights are State responsibility and must be implemented in accordance with regional and international standards that Nigeria has ratified. The conclusion reached is that despite progress made it's still a long road to gender equality and women's struggles would continue as Nigeria journeys supposedly to the next century of its statehood.

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