By Mark DaCosta- The United Nations (UN) says that the day is observed to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows, and galvanise the unique support that they need.
The UN states, “Now more than ever, this day is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows. This includes providing them 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; decent work and equal pay; and education and training opportunities. Empowering widows to support themselves and their families also means addressing social stigmas that create exclusion, and discriminatory or harmful practices.”
Experts recognise many challenges faced by widows – many of which are unique to that group of women. Depending on geography, religions, cultures, and other factors, widows around the world are often victimised and stigmatised. In some parts of the world, widows are routinely sexually abused, forced into unwanted marriages, forced into slavery, and even killed as part of rituals. In some territories the property of widows are legally confiscated and given to in-laws.
Psychologists say that there exists a mental health issue called, “The Widowed Effect.” This condition is often called a broken heart by family and friends. Experts say that the condition is characterised by an increased risk of injury, disease, or death after a woman becomes a widow. Although the well documented condition is being studied, it is not very well understood by scientists. Some experts believe that it may be associated with negative changes in dietary, exercise, mental health, and social habits following the death of a woman’s spouse.
As the world observes the day, the UN urges that, “Governments should take action to uphold their commitments to ensure the rights of widows as enshrined in international law, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Even when national laws exist to protect the rights of widows, weaknesses in the judicial systems of many States compromise how widows’ rights are defended in practice and should be addressed. Lack of awareness and discrimination by judicial officials can cause widows to avoid turning to the justice system to seek reparations.
“Programmes and policies for ending violence against widows and their children, poverty alleviation, education and other support to widows of all ages also need to be undertaken, including in the context of action plans to accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the UN says.
