Stigmatization and Social Reintegration of Liberated Trokosi Women in Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the subject of stigma and social reintegration of liberated Trokosi women in Mafi traditional area of the North Tongu District of the Volta region. One hundred (100) liberated trokosi slaves aged between 10 and 41 years were randomly selected from international Needs Vocational Training Centre at Adidome to answer the questionnaires for the study. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between age and type of stigma experienced, however there was a significant statistical relationship between self-esteem and physical isolation but not for loss of identity, verbal stigma and loss of access to resources. Forced entry regression of self-esteem on physical isolation, loss of identity, verbal stigma and loss of access to resources showed that physical isolation was the best predictor of self-esteem. Findings are discussed in the light of how stigmatization and self-esteem affect social reintegration of liberated Trokosi women. Recommendations have been given on what needs to be done to completely end the practice and how the liberated Trokosi women can be integrated into their communities.

Keywords: stigma, reintegration, Trokosi, loss of identity, verbal stigma, physical isolation.