Survival Voices: Social Capital and the Well-Being of Liberian Refugee Women in Ghana

The global community and the social work profession have a responsibility to refugees. However, the stories of refugee women living in protracted refugee camps have not been adequately documented. This study examines the role and impact of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital or social relations on the well-being of Liberian women living in a refugee camp in Ghana. The findings indicate that although the women have bonding social capital, they lack bridging and linking social capital, both of which enhance the capacity to discover new and productive opportunities and relationships. Finally, the article challenges refugee advocates to address policies that will help strengthen and create all three forms of social capital.