Women in Purdah: The Challenges of Open and Distance Education in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, purdah exists as a viable institution among the Muslims population as we have in other parts of the world. As a consequence of purdah system, a woman is allowed to see only her biological sons, brothers, uncle and husband, or any other relation in position of trust. She cannot even go to mosque to pray, and must wear veil if she must go outside the house. This practice is more popular among the Northern Nigerian, because they are predominantly Muslim. Literarily, purdah means curtain or veil and refers to carious modes of shielding women from other sight. It can also refer to the veiling or covering of the entire body. According to (Naim 2004), purdah is a practice of the seclusion of women inside their homes. In this sense, seclusion means restrictions on women's movement outside the home.However, part II of the Nigerian Constitution guarantee education for all citizens without barrier coupled with international instrument which Nigeria are signatory to and has adopted. The UNESCO declaration Education for All (EFA) by the year 2015.Also going by the result of 2005 population census conducted in Nigeria indicating more women in the Northern part of Nigeria than other parts, this translate that we are having more married women in the North than other parts, hence possibility of having an army of uneducated women in purdah in the Northern part of Nigeria lacking access to functional education which is a violation of many of both the international treaties (UNESCO, African Charter on Human and People Rights), and part II of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.This paper will examine the government policies, legislations and innovative strategies of the National Open Universities of Nigeria to bring education to the door step of all. Without prejudice to their culture or religion.