FEMALE SOCIO-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS IN NAWAL EL SAADAWI’S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO AND MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER

Abstract: The research work examined female socio-cultural and religious problems in Nawal El Saadawi’s woman at point zero and Mariama Ba’s so long a letter. Over the years, the challenges facing the female folk is that of cultural and religious problems. It is also discovered that, several cultural practices affects the females. As examined by the two Islamic authors, the Islamic practices affect the women psychological such as polygamy in the religious sphere. Therefore, it is hoped that an awareness of such practices should be abolished. And work of feminists in Africa should be encouraged and to bring equal opportunities for men and women.

FEMALE SOCIO-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS IN NAWAL EL SAADAWI’S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO AND MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION 

1.1       Background to the Study

Women throughout the world have few legal rights than men and their rights are always taken for granted. According to Chamber Dictionary;

Culture is the custom, civilization, society, ideas, values of a particular society or social groups especially at a particular time and the appreciation of arts, music, literature, improvement and development through care and training (327).

The socio-cultural practices in Africa affect female children. Female children are always trained in the kitchen, they are not always giving the best upbringing, they are trained to take care of home activities instead of school. Male children are been brought up well because they are known to be the people who will take the family from generation to generations. Debbie Neill asserts that:

Igbo society upholds the nation of manliness as fundamental social norms, violence against women is justified, African women languished on the fringe of their universe, neglected, exploited discrimination and indeed to feed lie outsider (142).

The feminist believe that women are oppressed simply because of socio-cultural practices, their sex and they cite the ideology of patriarchy as a reason for the beliefs.  It is an intellectual commitment and political movement that seek justices for women and the end of sexism in all form.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

In Africa, many cultural practices are against women, for instance, no matter how a woman works, she cannot be considered being equal with a man because a man is stronger, physically than women. Without any doubt, men are stronger mentally and physically than women and men are always the head of every family, but does this fact create room for the oppression of female gender? Does this mean that the women should only be called upon when her husband is hungry or when time for child bearing comes? Does this also give room for women to be trampled upon by men? Most important should this above mentioned problems women faced in African society and our country Nigeria deprive women the opportunity of contributing to the development of our country Nigeria?

Another problems women faced in Africa society due to cultural practices is that, women are not allowed to marry more than one husband whereas men does. In the Christian religion, women are admonished to be submissive to their husbands, doing only the things their husband want them to do or approves of. Besides, they must be very obedient and submissive; they must obey their husbands at all times and never to refused them anything even if it is not really convenient for the wives. Therefore, the above mentioned problems concerned the researcher to write on the topic, female socio-cultural and religious problems in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.

FEMALE SOCIO-CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS IN NAWAL EL SAADAWI’S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO AND MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research work is to examine the female socio-cultural and religious problems in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter and further discusses the socio-cultural and religious problems in the society.

1.4       Significance of the Study 

This research work will be important to students of English and literacy studies and other researchers on how to solve the problems of socio-cultural and religious issue that have been existing from birth and oppression from the male counterparts.

1.5       Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of this study will be limited to Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.

1.6       Research Methodology

The research will be focus primarily on Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter as its main sources while other sources like library, internet and other work of feminist writers will be added as its secondary sources.

Originally posted on April 26, 2021 @ 10:48 am