A human rights analysis of informed consent to psychotropic medication : significance for protecting the sexual rights of women living with depression in Nigeria

Abstract

This thesis explores the intersection of informed consent, sexual rights, and human rights within the context of women with psychosocial disabilities, specifically focusing on Nigerian women with depression. The study critiques the lack of comprehensive informed consent, particularly in relation to the sexual side effects of psychotropic medications commonly prescribed for depression. Through a human rights-based approach grounded in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and bioethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence, the research highlights the ethical and legal failures in Nigerian healthcare systems. It advocates for reforms that align medical practices with international human rights standards to ensure that women with disabilities are adequately informed about their treatment options, particularly regarding sexual health. This thesis argues that a rights-based framework is essential to protect the autonomy and dignity of vulnerable women, emphasizing the importance of supported decision-making and holistic informed consent to safeguard sexual and reproductive rights.