An Ethnographic Study of Education and Status Among Muslim Women in Old City Hyderabad
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Date
2015-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Muslims comprise a majority of residents in the Old City area of Hyderabad, India, and among these, there is a substantial number of practicing Muslim women. Although this population of women is often viewed as one of the most marginalized in Hyderabad, there have been great efforts on behalf of grassroots NGOs over the past few decades to increase their status and access to opportunities. From June to August 2014, I conducted an ethnographic study of access to education and barriers to its pursuit among Muslim women in Old City Hyderabad. Through a partnership with a local NGO, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 31 women about their own opportunities for education and the situation of Old City women in general. I also visited several schools to observe classes in different settings, such as government, private, and Islamic schools. While a majority of informants studied past tenth standard, many were unable to continue due to marital and family obligations as well as financial restrictions. Many women commented on how educational and occupational opportunities for women have expanded over the past twenty years due to both a shift in attitudes and economic necessity. Moreover, by employing an ethnographic approach, I was able to discern how familial ties and obligations greatly impact the status and opportunities of the informants. This research uncovers distinct trends in women’s education and empowerment and lays the work for future studies of how Indian women are working to increase their own status in the community and pursue economic development through investment in girls’ education.
Description
Best Undergraduate Writing Award from the Ohio State University Department of Anthropology
Keywords
India, Women's empowerment, Education, Islam and Education