Family Planning, Fertility Control and the Law in Nigeria the Choices for a New Century

Abstract

The objectives of this paper are: (1) to clarify the state of Nigeria’s reproductive health policies and laws; (2) to examine whether these laws hinder or encourage family planning; and (3) to use this knowledge to propose an agenda for action for the 21st century. The article analyses the scope of laws regulating fertility choice in Nigeria and the impact of such laws on women’s autonomy under the constitution and criminal law. The paper concludes with the notion that Nigerian fertility control laws have harmed, rather than encouraged, population control in the country, and the criminalization of abortion is in conflict with the constitutional rights of women. (Afr I Rep rod Health 1 998;2 (2) :82—95)

KEY WORDs: Population control, family planning, law, contraception, abortion