PhD THESIS

This PhD thesis was submitted to the Department of Public Policy And Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, in partial fulfilment for the award of Doctor Of Philosophy Degree in Public Policy And Administration, African American University, USA, and it focuses on this unique topic: "Weaponizing Policy: The Use of Gender-Based Laws for Political Persecution and Social Manipulation - A Case for Institutional Protection of Men's Rights in Public Administration."

Gender-based laws, while designed to protect women from historical and systemic injustices, are increasingly being exploited in some political and personal contexts to target men unjustly. From false accusations of abuse and harassment to manipulated custody battles and media-led defamation campaigns, men are becoming vulnerable to policy misuse with little or no institutional recourse. Hence, this Thesis investigates how such weaponization occurs within public administration and legal frameworks and also explores the growing trend of gender policy weaponization, where gender-based laws are deliberately exploited to persecute, discredit, and silence men, particularly in politically charged environments.

Drawing from legal case studies, expert interviews, and policy analysis within Nigeria and selected African contexts, this research interrogates how men have become collateral damage in the gender justice movement, often with no institutional mechanisms for recourse. It critically examines the absence of a gender-balanced policy architecture and the failure of current administrative frameworks to protect the rights and dignity of falsely accused or marginalized men.