Browsing by Author "Williams ,Eleanor Nosurum"

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    Assessing the Effects of African Traditional Widowhood Rituals on Widow Rights in Alego Usonga Sub-County, Siaya County, Kenya
    (Daystar University, School of Arts and Social Sciences, 2023-07) Williams ,Eleanor Nosurum
    Traditional African teachings emphasized the importance of community, mutual respect, and caring, among other principles. However, there was a discrepancy between these teachings and the treatment of widows, as practices such as widowhood rites, female genital mutilation, and betrothal were still prevalent in many parts of the world, including Kenya, despite the existence of international human rights conventions. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of African traditional widowhood rituals on widow's rights in Alego Usonga Sub-County, Siaya County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to assess the nature of widowhood rituals in Alego Usonga Sub-County, Siaya County, Kenya; evaluate the extent to which the widowhood rituals affected widow's rights in Alego Usonga Sub-County, Siaya County, Kenya; and analyze the measures put in place to mitigate the infringement of widow's rights in Alego Usonga Sub-County, Siaya County, Kenya. The Theory of Feminist Theory supported this study's topic and the specific objectives. The study used descriptive research. The study population consisted of 600 participants who were the key informants of the study. Based on the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula, the sampled participants who participated were 186. The study relied on structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews as one of the several sources of primary data collection tool. A pilot testing was conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the research instrument. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of MS Excel. The qualitative data generated from the interviews were analyzed by using content analysis. The narratives were presented around the study objectives, namely, the nature of widowhood rituals, the extent to which the widowhood rituals affected widow's rights, and the efficacy of the measures put in place to mitigate the infringement of widow's rights. A study on widowhood rituals reveals diverse perspectives within the community, highlighting variations in perceptions of personal hygiene, widow inheritance, stripping of clothes, and stigmatization of widows. The performance of cleansing rituals after the husband's death also receives mixed opinions. The study emphasizes the significant impact of widowhood rituals on widows' lives, including psychological distress, social isolation, economic challenges, and discrimination. Measures to mitigate the infringement of widow's rights, such as education campaigns, enforcement of human rights laws, economic support programs, and legal reforms, receive varying levels of agreement. The study recommends developing programs to address misconceptions, advocating for legal reforms, and fostering community involvement to provide support to widows.