Gender Discrimination on Property and Widow Inheritance Rights Among Rural Dwellers of Ipokia Local Government of Ogun State

Abstract

The study assessed gender discrimination on property and widow inheritance rights among rural dwellers of Ipokia local government area of Ogun state, Nigeria. The study set out to assess the perception of rural dwellers on women property inheritance rights and widow inheritance. Two research questions were answered in the study. The study adopted qualitative research design. The population of the study was all adult rural dwellers within Ipokia local government area of Ogun state. Five inhabitants of the rural areas were sampled for the study using simple random sampling. The main instruments used for the study was an interview guide. The qualitative data collected through the interview guide was transcribed (Using verbatim transcription) and analysed using inductive analysis. The results showed gender discrimination in form of denying widows right to inheritance and widow inheritance is still in existence within the area. It was recommended that, gender discrimination caused by cultural bias should be eliminated in Ipokia culture; both male and female should be treated equally and government legislation should be strong in-terms of protecting the equal rights of female and males to property ownership of their late family members.