What is Self-Determination

This chapter reports on a study carried out by the Department of University of Ghana Learning Centers regarding the factors influencing migrant women's access to healthcare, lifelong learning, and the kind of link existing between this access and livelihood creation in six informal settlement areas of Accra city. The findings showed positive correlation between women's level of education and both physical and psychological access to healthcare. It was equally found that access to a regular source of income built a high level of self-determination in women of the informal settlements. Armed with this high level of self-determination, women were able to access healthcare and lifelong learning without needing the permission of husbands or members of family. Policies aimed at strengthening training attendants in pre- and post-natal emergency life-saving care are recommended for the informal settlement areas.