Trokosi tradition : navigating through traditional practices, gender, human rights, and reproductive rights in Ghana

Abstract

The trokosi practice is an ancient traditional system that involves the selection of a young female by her family to serve in a shrine as a form of atonement for crimes committed by another family member. This tradition exemplifies the entrenched patriarchal control that characterizes traditional rural societies in Ghana. The trokosi practice has sparked a contentious debate between proponents of Ghana's human rights framework and those advocating for cultural rights. This study draws upon feminist perspectives to examine the gendered power dynamics, human rights violations, and patriarchal control inherent in the Trokosi tradition. It employs a narrative analysis in its methodology to amplify the voices of the young females affected by this practice and contributes to feminist scholarship by providing nuanced insights into the complexities of cultural practices, power dynamics, legal frameworks, and women's agency in the context of the Trokosi tradition.