purdah

Purdah refers to the practice of female seclusion and modesty in certain Muslim-majority communities of South Asia and elsewhere. The word comes from Persian purdah, meaning curtain or veil, and historically denotes the separation of women from men who are not family members. In its broad use, purdah can involve physical screens, private spaces inside the home, and various forms of veiling.

Practices vary by region and community. Some adherents observe strict segregation in public life, with women avoiding mixed-gender settings and appearing in public only in a veil or behind a screen. Others observe purdah primarily by restricting visibility of women within households or within social spaces. Common veiling practices range from simple head coverings to more concealing garments such as the niqab or burqa, depending on local norms and interpretations of religion.

Historically, purdah has been linked with social norms in the Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas and has intersected with class, caste, urbanization, and religious reform movements. During the colonial era, debates on purdah became part of broader conversations about modernization, education for women, and women's rights. In the contemporary era, purdah persists in some communities, particularly in rural or conservative contexts, but many urban populations have lowered or relaxed its strictness; attitudes and practices continue to vary widely.

Scholars emphasize that purdah is not a uniform, universal requirement and that its meanings are contested. Critics argue that purdah can limit women's mobility and access to education and employment, while supporters may see it as a form of modesty, privacy, or protection. Within Muslim communities worldwide, there is considerable diversity in how purdah is understood and practiced.