ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE OF ISLAMIC WOMEN RIGHTS AND ITS IMPACT AMONG MUSLIMS IN KATSINA STATE

ABSTRACT

Women‟s rights and how they are being practiced among different societies and civilisations remain among the topical issues in today‟s world. This study made an examination of the practice of Islamic women rights and how it impacted on people in Katsina state. The key variables addressed by the study were the applicability of marital rights, economic rights and educational rights of women in the study area vis-à-vis their impacts on the people‟s development. The research questions, objectives and hypotheses were stated in this line. In terms of scope, the research covered Katsina state, a state with 34 local governments. However, only six local governments were selected for the purpose of the study. These were Daura, Baure, Batsari, Katsina, Faskari and Funtua. The period of study covered was 2006 to 2015. The research design adopted was an amalgam of survey and historical research methods. Data were generated from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were gathered through the instruments of questionnaire and interview while the secondary data included relevant textbooks and other published materials. The population of the study were three (3), key informants (religious leaders and traditional rulers), women (married/widowed/divorced) and heads of households. In terms of sample, 210 units were selected from the key informants‟ sample with 35 units representing each local government. For the women sample, 360 individuals were selected with 60 units representing each local government while for the heads of households, 180 were selected with 30 units representing each local government. Data were largely presented in tables and hypotheses were tested using Pearson Chi-square.

The study found among other things that most husbands/men met their family obligations and also facilitated education of their wives. There was also fair access to both Islamic and Western education by girls/women; and that the prevailing practice of women favoured economic empowerment, educational development and enhanced the protection of women marital rights in the study area. It was recommended that men should be encouraged by both the religious and traditional leaders to continue and consolidate their efforts of meeting their family obligations; be more just and fair in treating wives; continue the habit of protecting privacy, dignity and honour of women; and government should intervene more in the educational development of the area among other things.