ABSTRACT
The focus of analyses is on the historical, cultural, and economic dimensions of women's contributions to society. In this Chapter, female seclusion is examined from a northern Nigeria perspective. It deals with female labour participation in the formal industrial sector. The final section of the Chapter compares female household economic activities with industrial labour. In particular, the relative absence of Hausa women in the formal or open economy provides deep-seated understanding regarding the economic rationality of Muslim Hausa society. Today, female seclusion and wearing of the veil in Hausa society have become proofs of religious piety. The enforcement of women restriction often resulted in friction between Muslim Fulani evangelists and Hausa society. This chapter shows the economic rationality of a Muslim Hausa society. Domestic female activities in the households as the study shows, relieve men of greater economic burden.
