Sexual abuse and child marriage : promise and pathos of international human rights treaties in safeguarding the rights of the girl child in Nigeria

Abstract

This article analyses international human rights provisions specifically prohibiting sexual abuse and child marriage and interrogates the challenges of harmful cultural practices in Nigeria. It discusses the responsibilities and obligations of Nigeria relating to the protection of the rights of the girl child in international human rights law. In addition, it considers the impact of international instruments on the sexual abuse of the girl child and child marriage, the legal challenges to the applicability of these instruments in Nigeria, the attempts, particularly on the part of the judiciary, and the prospects in view hereof. The article comes to conclusions and makes recommendations on ways of safeguarding the rights of the girl child in Nigeria.