Patriarchy:A Driving Force for the Abuse of Reproductive Rights of Women in Nigeria

Reproductive health is a state of complete psychological, physical and social well-being of individuals and reproductive health rights means that everyone has the right to integral well-being in reproductive concerns. This further implies people have the right to practice sexual relationships, reproduce, regulate their fertility, enjoy sexual relationships and protection against sexually transmitted diseases and so on. Women in Nigeria are in every context socially, economically, legally and culturally disadvantaged as a result of the deep patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society. Patriarchy is also the ischolar_main of the cultural norms and traditions which are all forms of abuse of the reproductive rights of women. This paper looks at patriarchy as the ischolar_main of the subjugation of women in Nigeria and analyses its overriding effect on all the factors that militate against the reproductive rights of women. Recommendations that will make a positive change if adhered to, shall also be proffered.