346. In this regard, however, it was also emphasised by stakeholders that the problem of candidature within the internal politics of political parties must be viewed in the context of the current political climate in Nigeria. The view was often expressed that the electoral candidature system is not merit-based. In many instances, it was reported that candidates are ‘selected’ and not ‘elected’, and that this phenomenon is not restricted to women candidates, but applies to males as well. Unfortunately, given the relatively low number of female candidates to begin with, this has had the effect of reducing the number of women participating in elections. In addition, it reinforces negative stereotypes that men are superior to women in the political sphere. Right to education 347. In the education sector, the federal government is promoting the rights of girls to education through the Universal Basic Education Programme. More girls now have access to education on the same footing as boys, and this has significantly reduced the illiteracy levels of girls at primary schools. Nonetheless, in some communities there is still greater emphasis on educating boys than girls. Adult education in some states is picking up and enabling women to enrol for studies in order to improve their qualifications and standards. Stakeholders were of the view that, in order for women to compete favourably in the public and governance sector, there must be a stronger push for the education of girls. Violence against women 122 348. Gender-based violence is prohibited under the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, which attributes manifestations of such acts to unequal power relations between men and women. The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa is even stronger on the subject of violence against women and girls. It is near impossible for women to enjoy the full range of rights and to attain dignity where violence exists. Various forms of violence against women are prevalent in many communities in Nigeria, especially wife and child battery, female genital mutilation (FGM), and rape and sexual harassment in educational institutions as well as the workplace. Husbands are allowed under the penal code to ‘correct’ wives by physical chastisement as long as it falls short of grievous bodily harm. This, in effect, legalises domestic violence. The National Gender Policy notes that many states have enacted laws to abolish harmful traditional practices against women, for instance practices relating to widows, FGM, girl-child marriage, domestic violence and maltreatment of women. A law on sexual offences and sexual harassment is also in the offing. 349. There is a high rate of nonreportage of domestic violence because of the stigma attached to airing domestic issues in public, and, in such instances, the CRM learnt that some families exert pressure on victims or the police to refrain from action. Although most forms of violence are criminalised, the law enforcement agencies, as noted in the CSAR, have not handled reported cases with the seriousness they merit. This is because gender-