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VOL. 12, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Obnoxious widowhood practices in Nigeria: Okpanam community of Delta State in perspective
Authors
Ishakwue Nneka Joyana
Abstract
This study looks into the widowhood practices and customary law in the
Okpanam Community of Delta State, Nigeria. It focuses on how widows are treated
after the death of their husbands and whether these practices go against the
Nigerian Constitution and International Human Rights Law. Widows are still made
to go through painful harmful traditional practices such as being looked
indoors, shaving their hair, being denial property rights, and undergoing
cleansing rituals. These customs are often supported by customary law even
though they are unfair and harmful. The study uses both written laws and
real-life stories from interviews with widows, elders, traditional leaders, and
legal experts. It also uses information from books, court cases, and human
rights reports. The research finds that many of these practices are still
common because of strong traditional beliefs and the low awareness of women’s
rights. However, efforts are being made by some groups, including the
Ugoani-in-Council of Okpenam, to stop or reduce these harmful customs. The
study shows that while some progress has been made, many widows still suffer in
silence due to fear, shame, or lack of support. The study suggests that for
real change to happen there must be stronger laws, better education, and more
community involvement. It also recommends that widows should be given more
support to speak up and fight for their rights. This research helps to
understand how customs affect widows and gives useful ideas on how traditional
practices can change to respect women’s rights and dignity.
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Pages:343-349
How to cite this article:
Ishakwue Nneka Joyana "Obnoxious widowhood practices in Nigeria: Okpanam community of Delta State in perspective". International Journal of Law, Vol 12, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 343-349
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