Challenges Facing Muslim Widows in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State

ABSTRACT

   This essay project looks at the challenges facing Muslim widow in Ijebu ode local government area of ogun state. To embark on this study, the descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted. A sample of 120 respondents was drawn from young Muslim widow in Ijebu-North Local Government, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun-State, Nigeria using the random sampling technique and 110 was retrieved back from the respondents. One instrument was used for the present study. The instrument was a self designed questionnaire drawn for the young Muslim widow. In all, 20 questions were asked for each of the respondents to answer. Findings in the study shown that widows cannot afford to buy their children good cloth after the demise of their husband. Also, it is difficult for them to provide daily food for children after the demise of their husband. They find it difficult for them to pay their children school fees since the death of their husband. It was also noted that they feel scared at night after the death of their husband, they face many criticisms from their in-laws ever since the death of their husband. Also, they were blamed for the death of their husband and they feel scared living in their room after the death of their husband. On  the bases of  the  results obtained  in  the  research and  the  literature  reviewed,  the following are recommended (i) A widow that is confined indoors for as long as 3 months to 2 years in some cases in the current dispensation, will no doubt  lose her source of livelihood if she  is a civil servant especially in this era of massive unemployment. If, on the other hand, she is in private business (trading), she will lose her customers, income or immediate source of livelihood as well as her self-esteem., (ii) The fact that about 60 percent of Muslim widows sampled in this research had no form of having higher education and earn a monthly income of less than N10,000  from petty  trading  is worrisome. And (iii) Since most of the Muslim widows (about 67.5 percent) engaged in petty trading, the design and introduction of user friendly micro-finance/credit schemes for Muslim women to access will assist in poverty reduction. The micro-finance credit schemes will go a long way in boosting their potentials if properly harnessed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pages

Front page       ……………………………………………                            i

Abstract          ……………………………………………                            ii

Certification    ………………………………………........…                        iv

Dedication      ……………………………………...........….                        v

Acknowledgements …..........................................................                         vi

Table of Contents       …………………..........................…..                        viii

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction                                                                  

1.1       Background to the study                                                                    1                     

1.2       Statement of the Problem                                                                   3

1.3       Aims & Objectives of the Study                                                         4

1.4       Research Question                                                                              4                     

            1.4       Scope of the Study                                                                              5         

1.5       Significance of the Study                                                                    5                                                  

CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review                                                       

2.2       The Status and Rights of Women in the Jahiliyyah Period                6

2.3       The Status and Right of Women in Islam                                          8

2.4       Special Rights of Women in Islam                                                     10

2.5       Rights of Widow in Islam                                                                  11

2.5.1    The Financial Rights                                                                           11

2.5.2    The Right of Remarrying                                                                    12

CHAPTER THREE: Introduction

3.1       Population                                                                                           14                   

3.2       Research Design                                                                                  14                   

3.3       Sample and Sampling Technique                                                      14

3.4       Research Instrument                                                                            14       

3.5       Validity of Instrument                                                                        15       

3.6       Methods and Sources of Data Collection                                           15

3.7       Methods of Data Analysis                                                                  16                   

CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1       Demographic Data of Respondents                                                    16

4.2.1    Research Question 1                                                                           18

4.2.2    Research Question 2                                                                           19                   

4.2.3    Research Question 3                                                                           21

4.2.4    Research Question 4                                                                           22

CHAPTER FIVE: Discussions, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1       Discussion                                                                                           24

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                          28

5.3       Recommendation                                                                                28

Reference                                                                                                        32

Appendix                                                                                                        34