Research Student Seminar Series 16

Date: 28 May 2015 (Thursday) Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Venue: GH128

Topic: : Surviving the “tempest” and what the men say”; Well-being amongst rural women of Builsa District in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract: The well-being of individuals in general is a major global concern. Whilst developed countries have achieved a lot on well-being with documented accounts to this e�ect, less detailed and reliable information exist for developing countries like those in Africa. In recent times, much focus has been on the poor rural women in Africa, many of whom live under unpleasant conditions that threaten their well-being. The rural women in Northern Ghana are not an exception to this. Living under highly patriarchal societies, these women are less empowered in most aspects of their lives making it extremely di�cult to achieve higher well-being. Using Flora and Flora’s (2013) Community Capitals Framework, this study will explore the di�erent resources adopted by Builsa rural women to attain well-being. To �ll a major gap in literature related to this study, the perspectives of men on the well-being of the rural women will be captured as well. Given the importance of NGOs in the study area, the impacts of their roles on the relationship between the men and women will be highlighted. Finally, the policy implications of the �ndings on promoting the well-being of rural women in Ghana will be considered.

Speaker's brief biography:Eunice Abbey is currently a full time PhD student in the department of Applied Social Sciences. She had her �rst degree in Social Work and Psychology at the University of Ghana and an MPhil program in Health Promotion at the University of Bergen, Norway. Her research interests are in gender studies particularly on well-being and health promotion for women in rural settings. Prior to studying at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, she was actively involved in some social projects for rural women in Ghana.

Speaker: Ms ABBEY Eunice PhD Program Department of Applied Social Sciences The Hong Kong Polytechnic University