title: Abuse, Neglect, and Violence Against Elderly Women in Ghana: Implications for Social Justice and Human Rights.
abstract: This article discusses abuse and neglect of elderly women in Ghana and the traditional practices that adversely affect their human rights. Their situation is characterized by pervasive poverty, illiteracy, widowhood, predominantly rural dwelling, and subjection to insidious cultural practices and superstitious beliefs. Increase in life expectancy and population trends point to significant increases in the numbers of the elderly women. Breakdown of the extended family support system and the waning of filial obligations are factors affecting their welfare. Accurate data on these abuses is lacking due to cultural inhibitions and non-reporting. Legislations and NGO programs are addressed to combat abuses.
authors.affiliation: a College of Social Work , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
authors.forename: Marie-Antoinette
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sossou
authors.affiliation: b Northeast Center , SUNY-Empire State College , Latham , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Yogtiba
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004552:Elder Abuse; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty; D012935:Social Justice; D012940:Social Problems; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence
keywords: Ghana; elderly; human rights; poverty; rural; witch camps; women