International Widows Day which is observed every 23rd of June, was to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows, to galvanize the unique support they need and as well create opportunity for achieving
their full rights and recognition.
The loss of a partner is devastating. For many women around the world, that loss is magnified by a long-term struggle for basic needs, their human rights and dignity. They may be denied inheritance rights to the piece of land that they relied on for livelihood or evicted from their homes, forced into unwanted marriages or traumatizing widowhood rituals. They are stigmatized for life, shunned and shamed. And, many of these abuses go unnoticed, even normalized.
The Day also provides the widows with information on access to a fair
share of their inheritance, land and productive resources, pensions
and social protection that are not based on marital status alone as
well as education and training opportunities.
While commenting on the Day, a member of International Federation of
Women Lawyers FIDA, Mrs. Nkolika Ebede, said that remembrance of
widows, their plight, and fight against taking over their belongings
should be encouraged.
She added that every society should take records of widowhood laws
promulgated in the state in 2006 to guild against illegal practices
against widows.
Mrs. Ebede called on government to uphold is commitments to ensure
that the rights of widows are enshrined in the international law.
