Purdah: A Religious Practice or an Instrument of Exclusion, Seclusion and Isolation of Women in a Typical Islamic Setting of Northern Nigeria
Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf

Abstract
This paper looks at the concept and perception of purdah and its practice in a typical Islamic setting of Northern Nigeria. The paper makes a holistic appraisal of existing literature (academic and religious) bringing to bare the implication of meanings and interpretation of purdah based on cultural and religious practices and how it has impacted on the women in the Northern region of the country. The paper concludes that, women are denied of inheritance; do not have access to land and other means of production. As banks in Nigeria insist on getting collateral before they can advance loan to those who want to go into business, they cannot access bank loans to start business. Even many of the intervention programmes introduced by the government aimed at empowerment of the less privileged members of the society have not impacted positively on their lives. The institution of purdah can be seen to be inimical to the progress and development of the womenfolk in the Northern part of the country. It has secluded and excluded them from the social, economic and political activities going on in the society, thereby confirming their second class status. The exploitative tendencies of purdah has put the women in such a precarious position so much so that they lacked the wherewithal to demand for and get equal right with the men.

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