2014 International Widows' Day (Aired Newstalk)
COMBATING THE VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY TODAY MONDAY JUNE 23
In a concise and precise term, a widow is a woman or a female human whose husband has died. In the same vein, Widowhood is the state of being a widow or a widower.
It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because definitely his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.
In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her class or status, is severely molested, intimidated, and as well humiliated, coupled with the deprivation of her late husband’s properties/possessions by her in-laws in their entirety. In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through.
In some quarters, the poor widow would be mandated to drink the water used in washing her late husband's corpse to prove that she has no hand in the death. Most pathetically, she may be subjected to marry her late husband’s elder/younger brother which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’.
Today being Monday June 23, 2014, the world over is marking the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23rd day of June.
It is worthy to note that, The International Widows’ Day was established in 2005 by Lord Loomba under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation, to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the present UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon; the proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children.
A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation solely because, they have lost their husbands.
As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day today, it is our civic responsibility to support the worthwhile event as it is being commemorated by the United Nations. Suffice to say; in our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows is totally silenced.
At this juncture, I urge all the Civil Rights Societies, religious institutions, stakeholders, the media, women organizations, and well-meaning individuals to embark on a holistic sensitization and as well contribute their respective quotas towards ensuring that this remarkable crusade becomes nothing but a success.
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Public Affairs analyst & Social activist
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