What is trokosi system and effects?

The trokosi system is a traditional practice in some West African cultures, particularly in Ghana and Togo, where girls are given to a shrine as a form of atonement for their family's perceived sins. These girls, often referred to as "wives of the gods," are subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation, stripping them of their rights and freedoms. The practice perpetuates gender inequality and can lead to severe psychological and physical harm. Efforts to abolish trokosi have been met with resistance due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs, but advocacy and education are gradually raising awareness of the system's detrimental effects.