<![CDATA[In spite of several international and regional instruments and local enactments aimed at eliminating violence against women and the girl-child has remained a global phenomenon. It is one of the pervasive violations of human rights in many societies and a great challenge demanding urgent attention. Throughout the world, women and the girl-child suffer untold violence in the family and in the wider community. In Nigeria, there is a high level of cultural diversity, religious diversity and ethnolinguistic heterogeneity with over four hundred ethnic groups. The influence of religion and culture have deterred communities from adhering to practice which help to maintain patriarchal control and of women. Most of the violence against women and the girl-child is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women in many cultures which has led to the domination over the discrimination against women. This paper examines the legal approach to gender-based violence in Nigeria within the context of application and relevance customary practices in the country. It highlights the extent of intervention from the judiciary in curtailing the menace. This paper also examines some international and regional instruments and local enactments made to eliminate violence against women and the girl-child. An attempt was made to analyze how the judiciary responded to customary practices actions that accentuate gender-based violence using the instrumentation of human rights law and Nigerian justice system. The focus included an assessment of judicial attitude and factors militating against access to justice in enforcement of laws prohibiting gender based violence. The paper concluded by recommending amongst others a proactive judiciary that is not tainted by corrupt sentiments nor religious beliefs for Nigeria to adopt international best practices. ]]>
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