Cultural Barriers to Social Work Practice Among Hausa Communities in Zamfara State

Cultural norms and community values significantly shape the reception and effectiveness of professional social work services in any given context. This study examines the cultural barriers encountered by social workers in practising within Hausa communities in Zamfara State, with focus on Gusau and Talata-Mafara local government areas. A descriptive survey design is employed, with data collected from 90 social workers and community leaders through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics are applied in data analysis. The study finds that social workers encounter significant resistance when addressing issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and female education, which are perceived by some community members as contrary to cultural and religious norms. Male social workers report less resistance when engaging male community structures, while female social workers experience access barriers when working in gender-segregated settings. Formal social work services are sometimes seen as alien impositions rather than contextually appropriate supports. Recommendations include recruiting social workers from within target communities, providing cross-cultural competency training for all social workers in the region, collaborating with traditional and religious leaders to contextualise social work services, and conducting ongoing community consultations to co-design culturally appropriate interventions. Keywords: cultural barriers, social work practice, Hausa communities, Zamfara State, culturally sensitive practice