The Nigerian Woman and Reproductive Autonomy: A View of Autonomy as Empowerment

Abstract

This paper recognizes the necessity for law to be proactive and upset the status quo if the status quo is used as a weapon of oppression. Its central focus is the expectation that the law should facilitate the enjoyment of the right of women to be free to decide on what happens to their bodies in matters of reproductive health, and to do so as free and autonomous persons. It takes, as its point of departure, the disadvantaged position of the Nigerian woman in regard to making her own decisions in matters affecting her body. It highlights some of the various streams of thought and organizations in Nigeria that seek to protect the rights of women. It recognizes that for the right to be self determining to be functional, women need to be economically and educationally empowered. It concludes that empowering women is the vehicle through which their individuality can be recognized.

Keywords: maternal health, reproductive autonomy, informed consent, empowerment, autonomy