ASF France Reveals 82 Nigerian Women on Death Row, Calls for Moratorium
Human‑rights organization Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) France has disclosed that 82 Nigerian women are currently on death row across the country, highlighting what the group describes as systemic gender disparities in the administration of capital punishment.
The announcement was made during a capacity‑building workshop held in Abuja on December 3, 2025, as part of global observances marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
ASF France’s Country Director in Nigeria, Angela Uzoma‑Iwuchukwu, said the figure represents one of the highest numbers of women on death row in sub‑Saharan Africa. She stressed that many of these women come from socio‑economically vulnerable backgrounds and have limited access to legal representation, which often results in harsher sentences.
“These women are tried not only for the crimes they are accused of but also for the circumstances of their lives,” Uzoma‑Iwuchukwu noted.
The organization highlighted cases where women sentenced to death faced extreme circumstances, including domestic violence, poverty, and systemic discrimination.
Among the examples cited was a young woman in Katsina State sentenced to death by stoning under Sharia law for having a pregnancy out of wedlock. ASF France intervened, and the sentence was overturned on appeal, illustrating the potential for judicial review to mitigate injustices.
Uzoma‑Iwuchukwu called for an immediate moratorium on executions for women and urged Nigerian authorities to integrate gender‑sensitive reforms into the justice system.
She emphasized the need to consider factors such as gender‑based violence, socio‑economic disadvantage, and access to competent legal defense before imposing capital punishment.
The revelation comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s broader death‑row population. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Correctional Service reported to the Senate that 3,688 inmates were on death row nationwide, with women representing a smaller but significant portion.
Human‑rights advocates say ASF France’s report underscores the urgency of reviewing capital punishment practices and ensuring protections for vulnerable groups, particularly women, within the justice system.
Advocates are urging the Nigerian government to take concrete steps toward either abolishing the death penalty or reforming its application, in line with international human‑rights standards, to prevent further gender‑based injustices.
