Full metadata record
| DC Field | Value | Language |
|---|---|---|
| dc.contributor | Department of Applied Social Sciences | en_US |
| dc.creator | Abbey, Eunice | - |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/9209 | - |
| dc.language | English | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Hong Kong Polytechnic University | - |
| dc.rights | All rights reserved | en_US |
| dc.title | Disadvantages, silences and thriving : the well-being of rural women in the upper east region of northern Ghana | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | The general aim of the study was to look into the well-being of rural women in two selected villages in Builsa District, Upper East Region. Whilst a lot of similar studies have focused on the challenges encountered by women in their highly patriarchal villages, there is a major gap in literature on how they thrived and on the contributions of the men towards their well-being. It is based on this premise that this study went beyond the challenges of the women to examine how they made use of the resources in their environment to enhance their well-being, the perceptions the men had on the well-being of the women and the roles played by the NGOs to this effect. Using the qualitative research method, 22 participants were selected for the study. This included 10 female and 10 male participants from each of the villages as well as 2 workers from the NGOs that operated in the villages. The theory used for the study was Flora and Flora's (2013) Community Capitals Framework. The Findings indicate that factors such as marriage, associations, land, income, special skills in hair dressing and soap making, child birth contribute to life satisfaction and enhance the well-being of women. These were regardless of challenges such as the negative traditional rites of widowhood and witchcraft accusations, lack of formal education, financial constraints and the lack of power and access to reproductive resources. These emphasize the resilience of women and their ability to thrive regardless of their disadvantages and silences. NGOs, through their role in education, financial assistance, and entertainment can have a positive impact on the general wellÂbeing of the villagers as a whole. With regard to perceptions, almost all the men still held traditional views that women were meant for the kitchen, marriage, child birth, and needed no formal education. They also did not understand how their actions as men could negatively affect or were connected to the well-being of women. Hence, the need to actively involve them in efforts of promoting the well-being of women. The study revealed the ability of rural women to thrive under their unpleasant living conditions. As postulated by the theory, the findings also showed the presence of various capitals in the villages led to social well-being, a vital economy and a healthy ecosystem. However, the theory failed to capture factors such as the poor utilization and mismanagement of capitals and some of the negative human actions threatening social-well-being, a healthy ecosystem and a vital economy in the area. | en_US |
| dcterms.extent | 186 pages : color illustrations | en_US |
| dcterms.isPartOf | PolyU Electronic Theses | en_US |
| dcterms.issued | 2017 | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | Ph.D. | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | All Doctorate | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Women in rural development -- Africa, West | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Rural women -- Africa, West -- Social conditions | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Rural women -- Africa, West -- Economic conditions | en_US |
| dcterms.accessRights | open access | en_US |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 991021988854303411.pdf | For All Users | 3.29 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/9209