2 research outputs found
Nigerian Lawyers and Reproductive Health Rights: A Survey of Knowledge, Practices and Opinions on Law Reforms among the Bar and Bench in North Eastern Nigeria
The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of practicing Nigerian lawyers towards issues relating to reproductive health and reproductive rights, and their opinions about abortion law reform. It was a population- based study which consisted of interviews with practicing lawyers in north-east Nigeria. The results showed poor knowledge of issues related to reproductive health and reproductive rights among the lawyers. However, the majority (56.9%) disagreed that a woman can practice family planning without the consent of her husband. The prevalence of contraceptive use among the lawyers was low and attitude to abortion law not satisfactory. Only few lawyers (22.4%) supported safe abortion in cases of failed contraception. We conclude that reproductive health advocates must target legal professionals with a view to educating them on issues relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Lawyers in Nigeria should undergo capacity building in reproductive health laws and be encouraged to specialize in reproductive rights protection as obtainable in other developed countries Keywords: Reproductive health, Nigerian lawyers, Northeastern Nigeria, Knowledge, PracticeAfr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:69-74
Les Avocats et les droits de santé de la reproduction: Enquête sur la connaissance, l’usage et les opinions sur la reforme de la loi au sein des barreaux et des juges au nord-est du Nigéria
The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and
attitudes of practicing Nigerian lawyers towards issues relating to
reproductive health and reproductive rights, and their opinions about
abortion law reform. It was a population-based study which consisted of
interviews with practicing lawyers in north-east Nigeria. The results
showed poor knowledge of issues related to reproductive health and
reproductive rights among the lawyers. However, the majority (56.9%)
disagreed that a woman can practice family planning without the consent
of her husband. The prevalence of contraceptive use among the lawyers
was low and attitude to abortion law not satisfactory. Only few lawyers
(22.4%) supported safe abortion in cases of failed contraception. We
conclude that reproductive health advocates must target legal
professionals with a view to educating them on issues relating to
sexual and reproductive health and rights. Lawyers in Nigeria should
undergo capacity building in reproductive health laws and be encouraged
to specialize in reproductive rights protection as obtainable in other
developed countries (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:69-74).Cette étude a comme objectif de déterminer la connaissance et
des attitudes des avocats nigérians en exercice par rapport aux
problèmes relatifs à la santé de la reproduction et
leurs opinions sur la reforme de la loi de l’avortement. Il
s’agissait d’une étude basée sur la population
qui comprenait des interviews auprès des avocats en exercice au
nord-est du Nigéria. Les résultats ont montré une faible
connaissance des problèmes relatifs aux droits de santé de la
reproduction chez les avocats. Néanmoins, la majorité (56,9%)
n’était pas d’accord qu’une femme puisse
pratiquer la planification familiale sans le consentement de son mari.
La prévalence de l’utilisation du contraceptif chez les
avocates Ă©tait faible et leur attitude envers la loi de
l’avortement n’était pas satisfaisante. Il n’y
avait que peu d’avocats (22,4%) qui aient soutenu
l’avortement sans danger au cas de la contraception ratée.
Nous concluons que les champions de santé de la reproduction
doivent viser les avocats en vue de les Ă©duquer par rapport aux
problèmes relatifs aux droits de santé sexuelle et da la
reproduction. Il faut que les avocats au Nigéria subissent un
renforcement des capacités en ce qui concerne les lois de
santé de la reproduction et il faut les encourager à se
spécialiser dans la protection des droits de reproduction comme
c’est le cas dans les pays développés (Afr J Reprod
Health 2012; 16[1]:69-74)