Project

Impacts of Shari'ah on the Life of Muslim Women of Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria

Program

African Humanities Program Postdoctoral Fellowships

Department

Philosophy & Religions

Abstract

Since the introduction of the expanded Shari'ah in some northen Nigerian states, some segments of the society have shown tremendous concern about the effects on the lives of Muslim women. Many, especially non-Muslims, believe that the Shari'ah legal system does not protect the rights of women. These critics cite the flogging of Bariya Magazu in Zamfara and the execution of Safiya Hussain in Tungari Tudubya'a Shari'ah Court in Sokoto, both for adultery convictions. This project uses primary and secondary sources to examine the impact of the re-introduction of Shari'ah on the rights and privileges of Muslim women of Sokoto and Zamfara States as they related to education, politics, economics, and criminal offences.