The seeming impervious nature of subsisting gender inequality rooted in resilient patriarchal structures in Nigeria act to deny women access to decision-making on reproductive matters. Respect for women’s reproductive rights is crucial to the realization of their reproductive health, yet certain socio-cultural practices hinder the realization of these rights. This qualitative study was aimed at understanding the socio-cultural practices especially gender relations, and their impact on the reproductive rights of Gbagyi women in north-central Nigeria. It investigated gender relations among female and male Gbagyi couples to specifically find out if Gbagyi women: could take a decision on their marital status; could freely choose their spouse or sex partner; could freely discuss and negotiate sex with their spouse/partner; had access to decision making on the number and spacing of children. The study sample was purposively drawn from female and male participants (aged 15 and above) in each of the two selected rural and urban Gbagyi communities. Twenty in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Results indicated that unequal gender relations in Gbagyi patriarchal setting negatively influenced the perception, acceptance, respect and promotion of women’s reproductive rights. The study concluded that Gbagyi women were denied part of their fundamental human rights and therefore recommended prioritizing girl-child education and attitudinal change in Gbagyi women’s empowerment.
Cite this paper
Orisaremi, T. C. (2020). Gender and the Reproductive Rights of Gbagyi Women in North-Central Nigeria. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6797. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106797.
Population Division of Economic and Social Affairs Department of the United Nations (2017) Reproductive Health Policies 2017: Data Booklet. ST/ESA/SERA/396, United Nations, New York City.
United Nations Development Programme (2016) Sustainable Development Goals.
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html
Central Intelligence Agency (2020) Field Anchor People and Society Maternal Mortality Rate.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html#field-anchor-people-and-society-maternal-mortality-rate
Orisaremi, T.C. and Alubo, O. (2012) Gender and the Reproductive Rights of Tarok Women in Central Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 16, 83-96.
Izugbara, C., Ibisomi, L., Ezeh, A. and Mandara, M. (2010) Gendered Interests and Poor Spousal Contraceptive Communication in Islamic Northern Nigeria. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 36, 219-224.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1783/147118910793048494
Wall, L.L. (1998) Dead Mothers and Injured Wives: The Social Context of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality among the Hausa of Northern Nigeria. Studies in Family Planning, 29, 341-359. https://doi.org/10.2307/172248
United Nations (1979) Convention on All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). United Nations, New York.
https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/29sess.htm
United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (1993) Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/violenceagainstwomen.aspx
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2001) National Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy to Achieve Quality Reproductive and Sexual Health for All Nigerians. Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2002) National Policy and Plan of Action on Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria. Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.
Ekanade, S. (1986) The Land and Peoples. In: Falola, T. and Adediran, A., Eds., A New History of Nigeria for Colleges Book One (Peoples, States and Culture Before 1800), John West Publications Ltd., Ikeja.
Le Van, A.C. and Olubowale, J. (2014) ‘I Am Here Until Development Comes’: Displacements, Demolition and Property Rights in Urbanizing Nigeria. African Affairs, 113, 387-408. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adu030
Orisaremi, T.C. (2016) Gender, Sexual Health Seeking Behavior and HIV/AIDS among Tarok Women in North-Central Nigeria. Health Care for Women International, 37, 687-704. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2014.971953
Orisaremi, T.C. (2019) Globalization: Is African Women’s Reproductive Health Getting Better or Worse? The Nigerian Experience. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 3, 21-27.
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-3-issue-1/21-27.pdf
Babatunde, E.D. (1988) The Family in Contemporary Africa. In: Olusanya, P.O. and Olurode, L., Eds., Readings in Introductory Sociology, John West Publications Ltd., Ikeja, 59-75.
Smith, D.J. (2007) Modern Marriage, Men’s Extramarital Sex, and HIV Risk in Southeastern Nigeria. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 997-1005.
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.088583
Ntoimo, L.F.C. and Isiugo-Abanihe, U. (2013) Patriarchy and Singlehood among Women in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Family Issues, 35, 1980-2008.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X13511249
http://jfi.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/11/19/0192513x13511249
Orisaremi, T.C. (2014) Spousal Violence against Women in Nigeria. In: Bassey, R., Alemika, E. and Tamgban, O., Eds., Policing and Crime Prevention in Nigeria. African Council on Narcotics & Crime Prevention, Jos, 295-329.
Bhatta, D.N. (2014) Shadow of Domestic Violence and Extramarital Sex Cohesive with Spousal Communication among Males in Nepal. Reproductive Health, 11, Article No. 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-44
Rai, P., Paudel, I.S., Ghimire, A., Pokharel, P.K., Rijal, R. and Raj Niraula, S. (2014) Effect of Gender Preference on Fertility: Cross-Sectional Study among Women of Tharu Community from Rural Area of Eastern Region of Nepal. Reproductive Health, 11, Article No. 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-15
http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/11/1/15
Oputa, C. (1987) Women and Children as Disempowered Groups. In: Kalu, A., Ed., Women, Children and the Nigerian Law, Federal Ministry of Justice, Lagos.
Muhammed, S. (1989) Women, the Family and Wider Society. In: Imam, A.M., Pittin, R. and Omole, H., Eds., Women and the Family in Nigeria, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Dakar, 29-36.
Arambepola, C. and Rajapaksa, L.C. (2014) Decision Making on Unsafe Abortions in Sri Lanka: A Case-Control Study. Reproductive Health, 11, Article No. 91.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-91
Orisaremi, T.C. and Odinkalu, C. (2016) Domestic and Sexual Violence. In: Alemika, E.E.O., Ed., Crime and Public Safety in Nigeria, Malthouse Press Ltd. and CLEEN Foundation, Lagos.
British Council Nigeria (2013) Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria: Issues, Policies, Action. British Council.
Ezumah, N.N. (2003) Gender Issues in the Prevention and Control of STIs and HIV/AIDS: Lessons from Awka and Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 7, 89-99. https://doi.org/10.2307/3583216
Alubo, O. (2007) Culture, Gender and Women’s Reproductive Health in Plateau State. United Nations Fund for Population Activities Nigeria/Plateau State Government, Jos.
Akinrinola, B. (1995) Desired Fertility and Fertility Behavior among the Yoruba of Nigeria: A Study of Couple Preferences and Subsequent Fertility. Population Studies, 49, 317-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/0032472031000148536
Bankole, A. and Singh, S. (1999) Couple’s Fertility and Contraceptive Decision Making in Developing Countries: Hearing the Man’s Voice. International Family Planning Perspectives, 24, 15-24. https://doi.org/10.2307/2991915
Lakew, Y., Reda, A.A., Tamene, H., Benedict, S. and Deribe, K. (2013) Geographical Variation and Factors Influencing Modern Contraceptive Use among Married Women in Ethiopia: Evidence from a National Population Based Survey. Reproductive Health, 10, Article No. 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-10-52
Samandary, G., Speizer, I.S. and O’Connell, K. (2010) Role of Social Support and Parity on Contraceptive Use in Cambodia. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36, 122-131. https://doi.org/10.1363/3612210
Mboane, R. and Bhatta, M.P. (2015) Influence of a Husband’s Healthcare Decision Making Role on a Woman’s Intention to Use Contraceptives among Mozambican Women. Reproductive Health, 12, Article No. 36.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-015-0010-2
Aniekwu, N. (2002) Gender and Human Rights Dimensions of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 6, 30-37.
https://doi.org/10.2307/3583254
Shattuck, D., Kerner, B., Gilles, K., Hartmann, M., Ng’ombe, T. and Guest, G. (2011) Encouraging Contraceptive Uptake by Motivating Men to Communicate about Family Planning: The Malawi Male Motivator Project. American Journal of Public Health, 101, 1089-1095. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2010.300091
Mohammed, A., Woldeyohannes, D., Feleke, A. and Megabiaw, B. (2014) Determinants of Modern Contraceptive Utilization among Married Women of Reproductive Age Group in North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Reproductive Health, 11, Article No. 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-13
Pittin, R. (1989) The Control of Reproduction: Principle and Practice in Nigeria. In: Imam, A., Pittin, R. and Omole, H., Eds., Women and the Family in Nigeria, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Dakar, 93-115.
Schuler, S.R., Rottach, E. and Mukiri, P. (2011) Gender Norms and Family Planning Decision-Making in Tanzania: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 2, e25. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2011.e25
Dixon-Mueller, R. (1996) The Sexuality Connection in Reproductive Health. In: Zeidenstein, S. and Moore, K., Eds., Learning about Sexuality: A Practical Beginning, The Population Council, New York, 137-157.
Orisaremi, T.C. (2013) The Influence of Breastfeeding Beliefs on the Sexual Practices of the Tarok in North-Central Nigeria. Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 4, 153-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2013.10.005
OlaOlorun, F., Seme, A., Otupiri, E., Ogunjuyigbe, P. and Tsui, A. (2016) Women Fertility Desire and Contraceptive Behaviour in 3 Peri-Urban Communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive Health, 13, Article No. 12.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0118-z
Eliason, S., Baiden, F., Quansah-Asare, G., Graham-Hayfron, Y., Bonsu, D., Phillips, J. and Awusabo-Asare, K. (2013) Factors Influencing the Intention of Women in Rural Ghana to Adopt Postpartum Family Planning. Reproductive Health, 10, Article No. 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-10-34
http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/10/1/34
Ndahindwa, V., Kamanzi, C., Semakula, M., Abalikumwe, F., Hedt-Gauthier, B. and Thomson, D.R. (2014) Determinants of Fertility in Rwanda in the Context of a Fertility Transition: A Secondary Analysis of the 2010 Demographic and Health Survey. Reproductive Health, 11, Article No. 87.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-87
