Abstract
While mostly hidden, the issue of statelessness is a concern in Africa with far-reaching consequences for the realisation of the rights of affected populations. One of the ways through which this situation may arise is through gender discriminatory laws which may perpetuate childhood statelessness that may violate international obligations. Through a reflection on nationality laws in four African countries: Eswatini, Libya, Liberia and Sudan, this chapter reflects on the nexus between gender discriminatory laws and childhood statelessness.
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Notes
- 1.
Somalia, Togo and Burundi nationality laws do not allow women to confer nationality to their children and spouses on equal basis as men.
- 2.
The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights and Equality Now ‘ Joint Submission to the Human Rights Council at the 36th Session of the Universal Periodic Review Liberia’ accessed December 10, 2021 https://files.institutesi.org/UPR36_Liberia.pdf.
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Lugulu, J. (2022). Gender Discriminatory Nationality Laws and Childhood Statelessness in Africa: A Reflection on Legislative Interpretations. In: Adeola, A., Mutua, M.W. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Democracy, Governance and Justice in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74014-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74014-6_7
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