Cultural Obstacles to Basic Formal Education and Training of Women in Sokoto State, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study set out to explore the cultural obstacles to formal basic education and training of women in Sokoto State of Northern Nigeria. The objectives of the study were, first, to investigate the extent to which cultural obstacles constitute denial of formal basic education and training of women in Sokoto State of Northern Nigeria. The second objective was to find out how early marriage practices hinder girls/women from obtaining formal basic education and training in that State of Northern Nigeria. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, case narratives and secondary data. The resultant data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings suggest that cultural obstacles and early marriages are the leading factors to the access of basic formal education and training of women, which in turn portrays gender discrimination as some of the key drawbacks to women's basic formal education and training. Arising from the findings, the following recommendations are made: Change of attitude by sensitizing men, women and children through mass media campaigns on the importance of girls and women in the society. Also, governments must recognize, embrace and demonstrate gender aware policies.