The Luo co-wives of Kenya: Using Resistance Resources to Achieve an Empowered Quality of Life

Abstract

Health is an abstract, hazy and contested concept that means different things to different people. One of the most persistent confusions between definitions of health has been whether to focus on wellness or on the absence of disease. There is evidence to suggest that subjective wellbeing is influenced by the cultural context within which an individual operates. This thesis looks into the subject of polygamy in Kenya and the way Luo co-wives cope with the challenges they face in order to improve on their quality of life. It also explores the relationship between empowerment and healthy wellbeing with a view of understanding their relevance in the life of Luo co-wives.