Women Folk in Sokoto Caliphate: A Historical Overview on their Roles and Contributions in the 19th Century Islamic Movement in Hausaland

Abstract

In most parts of the world, females are regarded and considered as inferior to their male counterparts in the development of a society. Certainly, the role of women in any society is very enormous. They are the mothers and thus, the backbone of any society. Yet, the most striking thing is that very little attention has actually been accorded to their contributions. In West Africa, research studies have been conducted on women in different societies within the sub region. However, the findings are not adequate and properly documented. Hence, serious attention needs to be given to the role of women in both old and contemporary societies, more especially in the Islamic West African Sub-region which has witnessed progressive societies in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Among these societies include Sokoto Caliphate; where women left an indelible mark in the success of the Jihad movement. They contributed to the development of their various societies intellectually, morally, and economically. This necessitates the need to outline the contributions of women to the progress and prosperity of this great Caliphate.