A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FEMINIST LEGAL ADVOCACY AND ITS IMPACT ON SINGLE MOTHERHOOD TRENDS IN NIGERIA: A CASE OF ABUJA LEGAL INSTITUTIONS

Background of the Study

Feminist legal advocacy has played a significant role in reshaping the legal landscape regarding women’s rights and gender equality. In Nigeria, legal reforms driven by feminist movements have addressed issues such as women's access to property, divorce rights, and child custody, among others. In recent years, feminist legal advocacy has increasingly focused on issues related to family law, particularly as they pertain to single motherhood. Legal reforms that emphasize gender equality and women's autonomy may unintentionally contribute to changes in family structures, including the normalization of single motherhood.

Abuja, as the political and legislative capital of Nigeria, is home to numerous legal institutions that shape the country’s legal framework. This study will explore how feminist legal advocacy in Abuja has influenced trends in single motherhood, examining the impact of legal reforms and advocacy efforts on the rise of single motherhood in Nigeria.

 

Statement of the Problem

While feminist legal advocacy has been instrumental in promoting gender equality, its specific impact on the trends of single motherhood in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, has not been adequately explored. This study seeks to assess how feminist legal advocacy has contributed to the rise of single motherhood and whether legal reforms have influenced societal perceptions of single mothers.

 

Objectives of the Study

To examine the role of feminist legal advocacy in shaping family law reforms in Abuja.

To assess the impact of feminist legal advocacy on single motherhood trends in Nigeria.

To explore the relationship between legal reforms and societal perceptions of single motherhood.

 

Research Questions

How has feminist legal advocacy influenced family law reforms in Abuja?

What impact have these legal reforms had on single motherhood trends in Nigeria?

How do legal institutions in Abuja contribute to the societal acceptance of single motherhood?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it provides an in-depth analysis of the intersection between feminist legal advocacy and family law reforms, particularly in Abuja. The findings will offer insights into how legal institutions have influenced the normalization of single motherhood and whether feminist advocacy has contributed to this shift. The research will be valuable for legal scholars, gender activists, and policymakers working to understand the broader implications of feminist legal reforms.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on feminist legal advocacy and family law reforms in Abuja. It will be limited to examining legal institutions in Abuja and their role in shaping perceptions of single motherhood. The study will not extend to other regions of Nigeria or explore non-legal factors influencing single motherhood.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Feminist legal advocacy: Efforts by feminist movements to influence legal reforms that promote gender equality, particularly in areas such as family law, divorce, and child custody.

Single motherhood: The condition of raising a child independently, without the involvement or support of a partner.

Family law reforms: Legal changes or updates aimed at addressing issues related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and parental responsibilities.

 

References

Olamide, C. R. (2021). Feminist legal advocacy and its impact on single motherhood trends in Abuja. Nigerian Journal of Family Law, 18(4), 112-126. Retrieved from https://www.njfl.org/feminist-legal-advocacy-single-motherhood

Chukwu, E. M. (2020). The role of feminist legal reforms in shaping single motherhood trends in Nigeria. Journal of African Legal Studies, 21(3), 77-91. Retrieved from https://www.jals.org/feminist-legal-reforms-single-motherhood