WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE CONFLICT IN NORTILEAST NIGERIA: ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICACIOUSNESS OF THE UNSCR 1325 AND THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN (NAP)

Girls and women have been the most vulnerable in the protracted conflict by the insurgency in the North East of Nigeria.’ With over 1.9 million displaced,” cases of abduction* rape’, and exploitation? of girls and women as suicide bombers,° very few. research still focus on the - gendered impact of the conflict.’ While most analysis on armed conflict: demonstrates its complicated” nature®; this paper intends to show how ‘conflict. manifests in several dimensions to maintain inequalities, ‘aggravates anguish, supports discrimination, exclude women and girls, ‘and further limits enjoyment of human rights. In doing this, the paper seeks to assess how the United Nations human rights protection instrument on Women Peace and Security, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 adopted in 2000 a human rights framework, has found expression in addressing conflict as a result of insurgency in Nigeria. The paper will also review the extent to which the integration of these norms through the National Action Plan in Nigeria has supported gender justice and addressed the gender complex dimension of conflict. The paper argues that Nigeria is under the obligation to take positive steps in ensuring that women and girls are protected from any form of violence and that they are not restricted in participating in measures that can address the conflict that is determining their life choices. This argues that Nigeria needs to do more to protect women’s rights now and in future at post conflict.