Abstract
Discriminatory practices against women is a global phenomenon that cuts across various countries and races of the world. These discriminatory practices happen in many guises, probably inter related in their causes and consequences as they are a part of a complex system of social, cultural, and economic determinants. In every society women play a vital role that contribute significantly to the economics of the society, however there are certain pervasive forces known as gender discrimination that tend to inhibit the female gender from attaining her full potential. In Nigeria, most discriminating laws, culture and tradition, has generally played a great role in relegating women to the background as mere chattels, with no rights at all, expected to concern themselves only with domestic affairs.It is true that women are humans too but the reality for women is that they are denied their humanity as those rights recognized as “human rights” are not applied equally to women in Nigeria. This article critically exposes the rights of women in Nigeria, the various discriminatory practices suffered by women in, the proficiency and impact of human rights and policies in the promotion and protection of women’s right and gender equality in Nigeria, while at the same time revealing the plights of the Nigerian women with respect to the enforcement of their rights.