Is maintaining kinship ties obligatory for women, and is she rewarded for visiting her sister or paternal aunt with the intention of maintaining kinship ties, or merely for the visit itself?

The discourse on maintaining kinship ties (silat al-rahim) includes both men and women; there is no distinction between them in this regard. The kin whose ties are obligatory to maintain include sisters and paternal aunts. Maintaining these ties is not restricted to visitation, though visitation is a form of silat al-rahim. Whoever maintains kinship ties through obligatory or recommended visits will receive reward. It is recommended to visit the righteous, brethren, neighbors, friends, and relatives, and to honor, treat them kindly, and maintain ties with them. Visitation should be arranged according to what they approve and at a time they do not dislike.