Title: The salutogenic perspective on the negative traditional practices affecting the well-being of women in Siniensi Village of Northern Ghana

Authors: Eunice Abbey; Charles Gyan

Addresses: Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, Box LG 419, Legon, Ghana ' McGill School of Social Work, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Québec, Canada

Abstract: The study examined the negative traditional practices that threaten the well-being of the women in Siniensi Village of Northern Ghana. The theory of salutogenesis is used to explain how majority of the women use the sense of coherence (SOC) which comprises comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness to stay at the positive end of well-being despite their challenges. The study adopted a qualitative research design with ten women as the participants. The data collection methods included in-depth interviews and observation. The findings revealed that negative traditional practices such as the widowhood rites, gendered funeral rites and witchcraft accusations subject women to physical harm, shame, poverty, and in some cases, death. However, for some women, religion, supportive family systems, and marriage served as valuable resources in coping and recovering from their unpleasant experiences. The findings support the assertion of the salutogenic theory that the ability to thrive despite unpleasant conditions is possible.

Keywords: well-being; rural women; traditional practices; salutogenic; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSDS.2021.116825

International Journal of Gender Studies in Developing Societies, 2021 Vol.4 No.2, pp.155 - 169

Received: 21 Sep 2020
Accepted: 18 Jan 2021
Published online: 03 Aug 2021 *

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