The world is on Wednesday holding the first International Widows’ Day that seeks to provide an opportunity to give special recognition to the plight of widows and their children in order to restore their human rights and alleviate poverty through empowerment.
The UN General Assembly in December 2010 declared June 23 as International Widows’ Day.
The UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon in his statement to mark the Day, said this first International Widows’ Day was an occasion to
call attention to the many “firsts” that women must face when their husbands died.
In addition to coping with grief, he noted, they may find themselves for the first time since marriage without any social safety net, adding far too often, widows lacked access to inheritance, land tenure, employment and even the means to survive.
“In places where a widow’s status is linked to her husband, she may find herself suddenly shunned and isolated. Marriage – whether
she desires it or not – may be the only way for a widow to regain her footing in society.”
Mr Ban said of the approximately 245 million widows in the world, more than 115 million live in extreme poverty. In countries embroiled
in conflicts, women are often widowed young and must bear the heavy burden of caring for their children amid fighting and displacement with no help or support.
Some of these widows are teenagers – or even younger. The death of their husbands can leave a terrible legacy these widows must endure throughout their remaining years.
Mr Ban said all widows should be protected by the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international human rights
treaties.
“But in reality, interpretations of customary codes, as well as traditional mourning and burial rites, often deny widows virtually all
of their universally recognized rights.”
He said despite the many difficulties widows faced, many made valuable contributions to their countries and communities.
“Some take on leadership roles at the highest levels. Others work in their families, taking in orphans, serving as caregivers and
reaching across lines of conflict to mend tears in the social fabric.”
He called for the recognition of the important contribution of widows, and “we must ensure that they enjoy the rights and social
protections they deserve”.
Mr Ban added: “Death is inevitable, but we can reduce the suffering that widows endure by raising their status and helping them
in their hour of need. This will contribute to promoting the full and equal participation of all women in society. And that will bring us
closer to ending poverty and promoting peace around the world.”