Spatiality, sexuality and gender politics among muslims: a case study of the federation of Muslim women associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Ibadan (1987-2009)

Abstract

The allocation of space, sexual identity/role and gender placement probably remain fundamental issues of concern to Muslim women all over the world. The way women view themselves and are viewed and the way they are treated in Muslim societies all around the world continue to demand critical re-assessment of the Qur’anic provisions on gender and sexuality in relation to prevailing/dominant cultures of the modern world. This is important in view of the current tendency in gender research to view the Qur’?n as anti-women or as pro-masculine. This thesis explores these issues by examining the concepts of spatiality, sexuality and gender. It explores these concepts in relation to its practical manifestation among the Muslims through its study of the activities of the Ibadan Branch of the largest Muslim women organization in Nigeria known as Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN). Chapters one and two examine the history of the city of Ibadan and the formation of FOMWAN in the country. Chapters three and four deal with the conceptual framework and some of the perspectives which researchers often employ with reference to studies on women. The last three chapters focus on the in-depth analyses of the understanding of FOMWAN members of the three concepts of spatiality, sexuality and gender which are central to this thesis. The thesis concludes by offering some suggestions to FOMWAN on the challenges facing the organization and the Muslim community in the city of Ibadan.