Journal of Social Welfare and Human Rights

The ‘African Concept of Human Rights’: Justifiable on Grounds of Cultural Relativism? A Particular focus on Ghana’s Trokosi System of Sexual Slavery
Emmanuel Kwegyir Arthur - Ewusie

Abstract
Trokosi is a cultural and religious practice predominant in some regions of West Africa, where young virgin girls are brought by family to fetish shrines to become sex slaves as part of rites intended to prevent a communal disaster allegedly caused by the misdeeds and transgressions of members of the girls' family against the "gods of the land". This research paper provides additional insight into the concept, origins, evolution, and practice of Trokosi, particularly focusing on the cultural, socio-economic, and legal aspects of this practice in Ghana. It notes that although abolished by law, Trokosi is still maintained in practice,albeit on a small scale, owing mostly to illiteracy, inadequate enforcement procedures, and the government's lack of political will. This essay analyses Trokosi in the light of the universalism v cultural relativism of human rights debate. It characterizes Trokosi as the apex of sexual abuse against young women and the worst form of child servitude, prejudice, exploitation, and physical and psychological torture in the Volta region of Ghana. It further establishes that this practice, viewed by proponents as religious, sacrosanct, and crime-deterring, is archaic and inhumane, violating girls' fundamental rights in a way that cultural relativism cannot justify.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jswhr.v10n1a1