ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the cultural factors that help to promote and nourish the generally low status of women in Swazi society, especially the 'Swazi Woman in Culture' and how these in turn undermine the social, physical and economic health status of women. It shows how some of the social factors like educational opportunities, illiteracy, nutrition, lack of fertility control, teenage pregnancies and others link up with traditional cultural practices to promote and nourish the generally low status of women in Swazi society. The chapter examines how traditional cultural practices impact on the status of women's health in Swaziland. In Swaziland, the main causes of maternal mortality include haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortion practices and hypertensive diseases of pregnancies. The demographic rationale is complementary to the socio-cultural barriers and the economic rationale in that uncontrolled population growth rates limit the provision and the extension of social services to all groups in society.
