NAWOJ Calls For Action on Widow’s Rights And Awareness
June 23, International Widows’ Day
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has issued a call to action, urging stakeholders to address the severe hardships and challenges faced by widows. This appeal was made in a statement signed by NAWOJ National Chairperson, Aisha Ibrahim, and released to the media.
Ibrahim emphasized the profound grief and trauma that accompany the loss of a spouse or partner, describing it as an experience no one should have to bear alone. Widows, defined as women who have lost their spouses or partners and have not remarried, often confront a myriad of difficulties, including loneliness, societal reproach, poverty, and numerous socio-economic and health constraints.
The statement highlighted the United Nations’ designation of June 23rd as International Widows’ Day, aimed at raising global awareness about the rights and challenges of widows.
In Nigeria, where approximately 15 million widows reside—a notable fraction of the global widow population of 258 million—these women frequently endure dehumanizing treatment, stigmatization, discrimination, and abuse due to harmful cultural practices and societal norms. Specific practices include:
– Denial of the right to inherit land and property
– Forced marriage to a late husband’s relative
– Punishment or ridicule for socializing or remarrying
– Forced head shaving as a sign of mourning
– Restrictions on daily movements, interactions, and access to healthcare and education
The UN acknowledges that the rights of widows are integral to women’s rights and human rights. The 2011 International Widows’ Day Conference in Gabon underscored several violations, such as:
– Neglecting the needs and concerns of widows globally
– Denial of property, land, and inheritance rights
– Forcing widows and their children out of their homes
– Exploitation through risky sex work
– Continuation of inhumane traditional practices
To combat these injustices, Ibrahim stated that NAWOJ plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote gender equity and eliminate the discrimination and violations faced by widows.
**Aisha Ibrahim**
NAWOJ National Chairperson
**Wasilah Ladan**
NAWOJ National Secretary
