AN EXPLORATION OF WOMEN’S GROUPS AS A TOOL OF EMPOWERMENT FOR MUSLIM WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA Zarina Hassem A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Johannesburg, 2008 ABSTRACT This study examines the role women‟s groups play in the lives of 10 Muslim women in South Africa. A qualitative methodology was employed to gain information from two women‟s groups in Johannesburg. An open-ended questionnaire, focus groups, and individual interviews were used to elicit information. The data were initially analysed using a computer- based content analysis programme (Atlas-ti), to identify a priori and emergent themes and categories in the data. These themes and categories were then used as the basis for a qualitative interpretive analysis, focused in particular on issues of empowerment with respect to psychological, community, economic, intellectual and political empowerment, and more specifically on gender equality. The study would thus suggest that while these groups do have many positive outcomes, the issues dealt with in women‟s groups cannot be isolated from the broader social context in which Muslim women live. While the processes of empowerment appear to have begun in areas of psychological, community, intellectual, economic and political empowerment in this sample of women, empowerment with respect to gender equality still seems far off. Community empowerment, economic empowerment, empowerment, gender equality, intellectual empowerment, Muslim women, political empowerment, psychological empowerment, women‟s groups i DECLARATION I declare that this dissertation is my own unaided work. It is submitted for the degree of Master of Arts in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any other degree or examination at any other university. _____________________________ _____day of _______________200__ ii To My Wonderful Parents, my first source of knowledge: For all you are, for all you do, all you‟ve taught me, all the sacrifices and all that‟s still to come... Thank You for Everything May you be rewarded abundantly! iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank the Almighty Creator, All Praise is due to Allah, without whom we cannot achieve anything! Heartfelt thanks go out to the following people: To my family who‟s constant support is a pillar of strength, I thank you all for being so understanding, patient and encouraging throughout this process and for assisting with the responsibilities that I have had to neglect. To My supervisor, Professor Charles Potter, I appreciate your honesty at all times, this research would not be what it is if it were not for your wisdom and guidance. To Peace Kiguwa and Sumaya Laher who served as additional readers of my dissertation your feedback has been instrumental in the final product of this research. Sumaya - I have not forgotten your encouragement and how you urged me to continue my studies and I am thankful for that. To Zeenat Dawood; for assisting me with note taking during the focus group interviews, your input was very valuable and your willingness to help is appreciated. To Adilia Silva, your explanation of the computer analysis helped ease the burden. To everyone at AWQAF SA, I am grateful for your constant encouragement and positive attitude. I would like to thank all the following people for making available to me, books, copies of theses, research reports and articles: Zeenat Gani, Amina Goondiwalla, Asma Hassan, Hawa Hoosen, Na‟eem Jeenah, Naomi Epongse Nkealah and Sa‟diyya Shaikh. Last but not least, I would like to thank all the women who so willingly participated in this study, making time in their hectic schedules. You are an inspiration to many. May you all be rewarded well and may the work that you are doing be a source of strength for many! iv CONTENTS Page No. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................1 1.1 Aims of the study.................................................................................................................1 1.2 Rationale of study................................................................................................................1 1.3 Context of the study.............................................................................................................2 1.4 The role of the researcher in this study................................................................................5 1.5. Conclusion...........................................................................................................................6 1.6. Glossary of Terms...............................................................................................................7 CHAPTER 2: PERSPECTIVES ON MUSLIM WOMEN................................................11 2.1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................11 2.2. Factors influencing the lives of Muslim women...............................................................11 2.3. Muslim women‟s rights- to know or not to know?...........................................................20 2.4. Men‟s abuse of their rights................................................................................................23 2.5. Muslim women demanding their rights............................................................................26 2.6. Muslim women re-defining themselves............................................................................27 2.7. Islam and Feminism..........................................................................................................29 2.8. Islam and Patriarchy..........................................................................................................32 2.9. The “gender debate” in Muslim Society...........................................................................34 2.10. The “gender struggle” in South African Muslim Society...............................................38 2.11. South African Muslim women in a changing environment............................................41 2.12. Conclusion......................................................................................................................44 CHAPTER 3: ON POWER AND EMPOWERMENT.......................................................45 3.1. What is power?..................................................................................................................45 3.2. The experience of powerlessness......................................................................................46 3.3. The Power of Groups .......................................................................................................47 3.4. Changing power structures: Empowerment and related concepts....................................50 3.5. Empowerment Theory.......................................................................................................51 3.6. Different levels/ forms of Empowerment..........................................................................60 3.6.1. Psychological Empowerment.............................................................................60 3.6.2. Community Empowerment................................................................................62 v 3.6.3. Political Empowerment......................................................................................66 3.6.4. Economic Empowerment...................................................................................68 3.6.5. Intellectual Empowerment.................................................................................69 3.7.1. Women‟s groups as an empowerment initiative............................................................71 3.7.2. Women‟s groups as an empowerment initiative in the Muslim community..................73 3.7.3. The women‟s groups that participated in this study.......................................................75 3.8. Women, Gender Equality and Empowerment...................................................................78 3.9. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................80 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY........................................................................................82 4.1. Choosing a qualitative methodology.................................................................................82 4.2. Development of research questions...................................................................................87 4.3. Sample...............................................................................................................................87 4.4. Data Sources and Instruments...........................................................................................88 4.5. Procedure...........................................................................................................................92 4.6. Ethical Considerations.......................................................................................................93 CHAPTER 5: DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................96 5.1. Computer-based Thematic Content Analysis....................................................................96 5.2. Qualitative Interpretive Thematic