Socio-Cultural Perceptions and Resilience Abilities of Widows on Widowhood Rites in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Widowhood has made many women vulnerable in many areas of their lives due to the cultural and traditional practices surrounding widowhood in Nigeria. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international conventions have addressed women’s rights, widows remain vulnerable to discrimination and violence. This research investigated socio-cultural perceptions and resilience abilities of widows on widowhood rites in South-West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed for the study, with data collected from 419 registered widows in South-West Nigeria. Three research instruments were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that widowhood rites were associated with socio-cultural perceptions and resilience abilities. Additionally, socio-cultural perceptions and resilience abilities were found to play crucial roles in shaping widows’ experiences with widowhood rites. The negative perceptions of these rites, coupled with resilience, underscore the need for interventions that address harmful cultural practices while supporting the empowerment and well-being of widows.