Breaking Barriers: Women in Transition
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Breaking Barriers: Women in Transition (An investigation into the new emerging social sub group of professional Muslim women in Sierra Leone) Fatmatta B. Taqi (Cole) October 2010 This thesis is in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Anglia Ruskin University for the award degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Women’s Studies (Social Sciences), Cambridge, United Kingdom. “Two parties are required in order to bring about oppression. One is the oppressor and the other is the one who accepts oppression. Oppression cannot be one sided. An oppressor cannot perform oppression in the air. Oppression is like a piece of iron which is formed by the striking of the hammer of the oppressor upon the anvil of the oppressed. Thus, women themselves participate in the attack upon their values by allowing themselves to be oppressed and by not searching out their roots.” Ali Shariati (1991, p8) Dedication To my mother, who has been my total inspiration and who has succeeded in breaking barriers by overcoming the burdens associated with being an African, a Sierra Leonean, a Muslim, a wife, a mother and a career professional. To my sons, Murad and Hafeez, who I hope would be the new generation of Sierra Leonean Muslim men, who will ensure that their female counterparts are given a chance at self fulfilment and to Najmah, my daughter, whose generation might not face the trials experienced by participants of this study. i Acknowledgements Doing this research has been an un-bargained self realisation and life changing experience for me. When I decided to pursue a PhD after my Masters Degree, I neither envisaged nor imagined that it would be such a challenging task. At the end of this journey, I want to thank the Almighty Allah for providing me with the courage and strength to successfully face the multiple hurdles experienced during the whole process. My supervisors, Prof. Gina Wisker and Prof. Bronwen Walter have been my pillars of support, painstakingly going through the drafts, spurring me on when they noticed a lapse and most of all, giving me support whenever I needed them. Gina has been my mentor and she has been a great inspiration to me since my Masters Degree. She inspired the idea of a PhD, and inspired my chosen career path as a university lecturer. I feel honoured to have worked under her constructive guidance and assistance. Gina and Bronwen became household names within my family. We have taken this trip together as partners, discovering ‘feminism’ in Muslim women in Sierra Leone and I appreciate wholeheartedly all that they have done for me. My family has been my ‘rock’ throughout this journey. After getting married and starting a family, the research process took the back burner to everything that was going on in my life. I want to thank my husband for his patience and ii my children for putting up with the sacrifices, the tantrums, the mood swings and the tears. I also thank them for their continuing love, encouragement and support. They provided me with the fundamental energies to overcome the many challenges that I encountered throughout the process. My parents and siblings have been wonderful with their support and taking care of my children in my absence in spite of their several commitments. The whole process has not been an easy ride for all of us and I wish to convey my gratitude to all those who in their own way helped me climb this ladder, with special thanks to the participants in this study. I will forever remain grateful. iii Abstract Sierra Leone is in transition to peace and development, from a previous decade long civil war. Educated Muslim women appear to have a great deal of expression, interest and passion to offer the process. The study investigates the new emerging social sub group of professional Muslim women in Sierra Leone society and explores their views and experiences of identifying and attempting to overcome the burdens of patriarchy, oppression and exploitation perpetrated by religious, social and cultural beliefs. The research and thesis consider in what ways these women and their views ‘fit’ in or challenge society and their perceptions of the potential they have as models to impact on the lives of Sierra Leonean Muslim women nationwide. Using feminist influenced research practices in order to focus on the stories and voices of these women, the study contributes to the growth of knowledge related to the emergent changing roles and perceptions of Muslim women in present day Sierra Leone. This qualitative and interdisciplinary research develops a critical focus and deliberately combines literary sources in an informative context, with feminist research methods of interviews and focus groups on issues of gender equality and empowerment. Through the interviews and focus group discussions conducted, the research portrays the perceptions of the emerging social sub group of professional Muslim women, a cross section of grass-root Muslim women and a selection of male Muslims regarding iv empowerment, knowledge, culture, independence and oppression. These are also illustrated as the ways the participants embrace the concept of feminism and adapt it by drawing on their Sierra Leonean, Islamic, cultural and social traditions. The research examines the various ideologies that stifle the growth of Sierra Leonean Muslim women from their perspective and it analyses the strategies used by the professional women to tackle the oppressive and repressive customs and stand up against patriarchy. It was discovered through the findings that the research gives an insight into the determination and the conviction of professional Muslim women in advocating for social change and in making their voices heard. As an outcome, it is evidenced that this emerging social sub group of Muslim women appear to be inspiring self-development moves and changes not only among the uneducated grass-root majority, but in the fold of their Muslim men-folk., resulting in a visible impact of self development and self empowerment among Sierra Leonean Muslim women. v Table of Contents Dedication i Acknowledgements ii Abstract iv Table of Contents vi Chapter One: Introduction 1 1.1 Research Background 6 1.2 Map of Africa: Influence/Perspective 12 1.3 Map of Sierra Leone 15 1.4 Historical Background 16 1.5 Conceptual Diagram 20 1.6 Focus 23 1.7 Socio-Cultural/Educational/Political Background of Sierra Leone 35 1.8 Women’s Issues from a Feminist Perspective in Sierra Leone 42 1.9 Islam and Women in Sierra Leone 46 1.10 New Social Sub Group of Professional Muslim women in Sierra Leone 51 1.11 Support Groups 56 1.12 FOMWASAL 59 1.13 Knowledge Gap 65 1.14 Justification 66 Chapter Two: Theoretical Perspectives 69 2.1 Introduction 69 2.1:1 Exploring Theoretical Perspectives 69 2.2 The Effects of Patriarchy in Defining Power Relations between Muslim Women and Men 73 2.3 Colonialism, Christianity and their Impact on Professional Muslim Women in Sierra Leone 76 2.4 Feminisms, Womanism and Social Change in the Sierra Leone Muslim Context 81 2.5 Similarities in African Women’s Voices Projected by African Women Writers 90 2.6 The Role of Islam as a Vehicle of Social and Educational Change 98 2.7 The role of Support Groups in Social and Educational Change 103 2.8 Reflection of Focus 111 Chapter Three: Methodology 113 3.1 Introduction 113 3.2 Research Flow Diagram 123 3.3 Qualitative Constructivist Methodology 124 3.4 Research Approaches 126 3.4:1 Feminist Approach 126 3.4:2 Narratives (Oral Traditions) 127 3.4:3 Focus Groups 130 3.4:4Interviews 137 3.4:5 Case Study 141 3.4:6 Literary Evidence/Text in Data Collection 146 vi 3.5 Triangulation 153 3.6 Considerations 155 3.7 Choice and Justification 157 Chapter Four: Personal Case Study 160 4.1 Introduction 160 4.2 Influence Factors 161 4.3 Background 162 4.4 Education and Role models 166 4.5 Islamic and Family (group) Support Factor 170 4.6 My Perceptions 171 Chapter Five: Presentation, Analysis and Discussion of Findings 176 5.1 Introduction 176 5.2 Data Analysis of Interviews and Focus Group Discussions 183 5.3 Emerging Themes 189 5.3:1 Culture and Tradition 189 5.3:2 Perceptions on Marriage and Partnership 196 5.3 3 Marriage: Arranged, Polygamy and Wife Inheritance 199 5.3:4 Bride Price 206 5.3:5Motherhood and Fertility 209 5.3:6 Women’s Status 212 5.3:7 Education as a defining force 214 Chapter Six: Conclusion and Recommendations 219 6.1 Introduction 219 6.2 Influence of Professional Muslim Women and Lessons Learned 230 6.3 Development of Sierra Leonean Muslim Women 234 6.4 Research Limitations/Further Research and Possible Extension 242 Bibliography 245 Appendix 1 Chronological Chain of Important Events in Sierra Leone’s History 286 Appendix 2 Profiles of Research Participants 287 Appendix 3 Question Schedule and Sample Questions for Interviews and Focus Groups 292 Appendix 4 FOMWASAL Constitution 294 Appendix 5 Participant Consent Form 306 Appendix 6 Participant Information Sheet 308 vii Copyright Attention is drawn to the fact that copyright of this thesis rests with (i) Anglia Ruskin University for one year and thereafter with (ii) Insert your name (iii) Employers name if applicable This copyright of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is bound by copyright. viii Chapter One: Introduction This research ‘An investigation into the new emerging social sub group of professional Muslim women in Sierra Leone’ aims to investigate the emergence of the new social sub group of professional Muslim women in Sierra Leone and explores how they ‘fit’ in the Sierra Leonean society, and the impact the group believes they are making in their society, in relation to religion, culture, education and the status of Muslim women in Sierra Leone.