Shabana Safdar Khan
Since 2011, it has been designated 23 June as International Widows Day (resolution A/RES/6, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows to mobilize support to address their specific needs).
Today, it is more crucial than ever to take concrete steps towards securing complete rights and acknowledgement for widows. This not only benefits them but also our society as a whole. By ensuring that they have access to information about inheriting a fair share of property, land, and productive resources, as well as receiving pensions and social protection not contingent on their marital status, we are fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. Additionally, efforts should be made to offer widows opportunities for decent work, equal pay, education, and training, empowering them to provide for themselves and their families while addressing the social prejudices and harmful practices they encounter.
Furthermore, governments need to fulfill their commitments to safeguard the rights of widows, as outlined in international law, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is not just a moral obligation, but a legal one. Even in instances where national laws exist to protect widows’ rights, there are judicial systems in many countries undermine the practical defense of widows’ rights. Lack of awareness and bias among legal authorities can deter widows from seeking justice. It is the responsibility of governments and international organizations to address these issues and ensure that widows’ rights are upheld.
Efforts must also be directed towards implementing programs and policies aimed at ending violence against widows and their children, poverty alleviation, education, and other forms of support for widows of all ages, in line with the drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In post-conflict scenarios, it is imperative to involve widows in peacebuilding and reconciliation processes to ensure their contribution to sustainable peace and security. This is not just a task for governments and international organizations, but for all of us, as a collective, to work towards.
Lastly, in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential not to neglect widows in the efforts to rebuild a stronger society. The pandemic has not only increased the number of widows but also exacerbated their existing challenges. Our recovery strategies should prioritize their unique needs and work towards creating more inclusive, resilient, and equitable societies for all. This is not just about rebuilding, but about building back better, with a society that is more prepared to support and protect its most vulnerable members.
On International Widows’ Day, Widows are fronted with the harsh reality that the plight of widows is often overlooked and under addressed. The experience of losing a partner is compounded by the systemic neglect and lack of support faced by millions of widows globally. With an estimated 258 million widows worldwide, this is not just a local or regional issue, but a global one that requires our immediate attention. It is imperative to bring their unique challenges to the forefront and advocate for their rights.
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Historically, widows have been subjected to pervasive injustices, including denial of inheritance rights and the seizure of their property after their partners’ passing. It is not a localized issue, but a global one, with widows facing pervasive stigma and discrimination, often unjustly associated as carriers of diseases. Furthermore, the gender disparity in access to old age pensions leaves many widows at risk of financial destitution upon the death of their spouses. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these hardships, leaving widows struggling to access essential resources amidst lockdowns and economic turbulence.
As we mark International Widows’ Day on 2Widows’ it is crucial to delve into the multifaceted challenges faced by widows globally and lay out comprehensive strategies to safeguard their rights. By elevating awareness and galvanizing support, we can take meaningful steps toward creating a more equitable and inclusive society that addresses the distinct needs of widows and ensures their rightful place in our collective efforts for progress. People are urged across the world to join in this important cause and make a difference in the lives of widows worldwide.
On International Widows Day, a day recognized by the United Nations on 23 June since 2011, the focus is on raising awareness about the complex challenges faced by widows and garnering support to address their specific needs. This day, which was established to honor the millions of widows worldwide, holds significant importance as it provides a global platform to shine a spotlight on the systemic neglect and lack of support experienced by these women.
International Widows Day plays a crucial role in advocating for the complete rights and acknowledgment of widows. It emphasizes the need to take concrete steps towards ensuring they have access to information about inheriting a fair share of property, land, and productive resources. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of widows receiving pensions and social protection not contingent on their marital status, as well as opportunities for decent work, equal pay, education, and training. These are not just basic needs, but essential for their empowerment and ability to lead a dignified life.
In addition, this day highlights the necessity for governments to fulfill their commitments to safeguard the rights of widows as outlined in international law, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This includes drawing attention to the deficiencies in judicial systems in many countries and emphasizing the need to address the lack of awareness and bias among legal authorities that deter widows from seeking justice.
International Widows Day is also instrumental in advocating for the implementation of programs and policies aimed at ending violence against widows and their children, poverty alleviation, education, and other forms of support for widows of all ages, in line with the drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It emphasizes the imperative to involve widows in peacebuilding and reconciliation processes in post-conflict scenarios to ensure their contribution to sustainable peace and security.
Moreover, this day also acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on widows, emphasizing the essential need not to neglect widows in the efforts to rebuild a stronger society. It underscores the importance of prioritizing their unique needs and working towards creating more inclusive, resilient, and equitable societies for all in the recovery strategies.
In summary, International Widows Day on 23 June significantly raises awareness about the challenges widows face, advocates for their rights, and strives to create a more equitable and inclusive society that takes into account the distinct needs of widows.
