Raymond, Ezinwanne (2024) An Examination of the Married Body of a Woman as Reflected Through Marital Rape in Nigeria. In: Anurag, P. M. and Dwivedy, S., (eds.) Violence in Intimate Spaces. Sustainable Development Goals Series . Springer, pp. 59-74

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

The Nigerian Penal Code allows ‘husbands to correct their wives’. A potential inquiry over the intended role of law would question whether the law is a means of salvation or a contributor to women’s objectification. The chapter asserts that the mutual contractual consent theory that advocates for the marital rape exemption from criminalization is a partial representation of the situation in Nigeria. Analysis of the institution of marriage within the socio-cultural context of Nigeria is crucial for gaining insights into the current manifestation of marital rape. This chapter presents a contextual framework for comprehending the non-recognition of marital rape in Nigeria by examining the objectification of women through the practice of ‘bride price’. The aim is to illustrate that this practice establishes a power hierarchy within marital relationships, which, when combined with the prevalent objectification of women in Nigerian society, shapes a certain perception of a woman’s body within the context of marriage, which in turn contributes to the occurrence of marital rape and violence within such unions. This chapter provides an analysis of Hale’s theoretical framework and its implications for comprehending the concept of marital rape in Nigeria, focusing on consent. The influence of ‘bride price’ on power dynamics within marriage in Nigeria draws upon Foucault’s theoretical framework of power and knowledge. This perspective offers valuable insights into the structural constraints imposed by the practice of ‘bride price’ and its impact on the autonomy of spouses within a marital union.

Item Type:	Book Section
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.1007/978-981-97-2657-8_5
School/Department:	York Business School
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11635

University Staff: Request a correction | RaY Editors: Update this record