By Ebunoluwa Sessou
For Bisi, it was a tale of pain, neglect and humiliation as she told the story of injustice and hardship inflicted on her by her in-laws. Sharing her life experience, Bisi told WO that immediately after her husband died three years ago, her in-laws told her to vacate the house and move to a rented apartment with her four children.
“They promised to finance my children’s education until university level but two years ago, they stopped. Since then, I have been feeding from hand to mouth; doing all sorts of work just to feed my children. My first child who was in SSS 2 could not proceed to SSS3 because there was no money to pay for the examinations.
My daughter now joins me to do chores including washing clothes, washing toilets, sweeping, among others just to make ends meet. My sister, I have been so humiliated to the extent that all the properties my husband and I suffered for have been taken away from me”, she lamented.
As pathetic as Bisi’s story is, other widows who spoke with WO also shared their unpleasant life experiences with relatives and in-laws who have put them into perpetual agony after the demise of their loved ones.
Some of the pains they shared were documented to form part of the advocacy and policy statement to be sent to both State and National Assemblies as a follow up to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.
Commemorating the International Widow’s Day, IWD which takes place June 23 of every year, some of the non-governmental organisations working on the plight of widows have vowed to join forces to lead their team on rescue missions for the sake of the widows.
Among them is Rose of Sharon Foundation, RoSF, a faith-based organisation that has been championing the cause of widows for the past 15 years.
Lamenting, RoSF said widows have continued to suffer discrimination, rejection and victimization which is capable of aiding suicidal tendencies in the society.
Speaking at the press conference organised to mark the 15th year anniversary of the Foundation, the founder, Apostle Folorunsho Alakija disclosed that it is dedicated to alleviating the burdens faced by widows and orphans.
Unveiling the events to commemorate its 15th anniversary of championing socio-legal protection and economic empowerment for widows, their children and orphans in Nigeria, she said the foundation has embarked on a nationwide awareness and advocacy walk, which took place in different locations across the country.
According to her: “This symbolic event was aimed to unite communities and raise awareness about the peculiar challenges faced by widows, while emphasizing the importance of upholding their rights.
“The foundation also presented a compelling short documentary that chronicled the transformative policy journey towards socio-legal protection for widows and orphans since the publication of the Founder’s book, A Cry of Widows and Orphans, and the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in 2015: and advocates for an amendment of Section 15 of the VAPP Act for more inclusivity including a specific law that provides comprehensive protection coverage for the peculiar challenges and experiences of widows in Nigeria with recourse for violation of widows’ rights”, she said.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, described the journey as a worthwhile and rewarding experience. Alakija emphasized the fulfillment derived from catering to the welfare and economic empowerment of disadvantaged widows and ensuring their children’s education.
She also highlighted the foundation’s significant progress in advocacy, particularly in promoting the rights of widows, which supported the passage of the VAPP Act in 2015.
On her part, the Country Manager, Dr. Ndudi Bowei, acknowledged the Foundation’s impactful contribution to advancing widows’ rights through legislation and other interventions.
Dr. Bowei stressed the foundation’s unwavering commitment to championing the cause of widows through initiatives and programs that support socio-legal protection and guarantee financial independence and educational opportunities for widows, their dependents and orphans.
Widows need better facilities and opportunities—IWS
In the same vein, International Women Society of Nigeria, IWS has demanded better facilities and opportunities for widows as a way of uplifting them and making them self-sufficient.
IWS Nigeria President, Mrs. Izabella Abia-Okon told WO the International Widows Day is significant because it raises awareness about widows’ issues and advocates for better facilities and opportunities for them.
According to her: “Widows face more challenges than one could think of. This is why Widows Day is established to empower all widows by demanding better facilities and opportunities for them.
“It advocates for the upliftment of women and makes them self-sufficient.
International Widows Day also addresses the regressive mentality of people regarding women and their place in society”, she said.
With the theme: IWS DigitALL Widows, Abia-Okon commended the United Nations for their conscious efforts at providing sustainable succour with their designated dates for the upliftment of humanity.
Widows, innovation and technology for gender equality — Lagos lawmaker
Also, a member representing Amuwo Odofin, constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Stella Foluke Osafile, (SFO), has said it is misleading for anyone to think widows are burdens to society, rather, people should see their input to the larger society in terms of growth and development.
Speaking on the theme: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality, Osafile disclosed that the theme underlines the importance of digital literacy for women’s economic and social prospects to help people catch up with the realities of development, improve their quality of life and be able to contribute to the growth of the country.
According to her, the UN recognizes International Widows Day, which draws attention to the condition of the many widows and their dependents around the world.
“The purpose of this day is to give widows who experience injustice, discrimination, and poverty a larger platform, to increase awareness of the difficulties of widowhood as established by the United Nations in 2010.”
Source: Vanguard