CONFRONTING ONGOING VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY ON FRIDAY JUNE 23
Today, June 23, the world over
is commemorating the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The
International Widows’ Day is a UN ratified day of action to address the poverty
and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many
countries.
The day was established in 2005
by Raj Loomba. The establishment was made under the aegis of The Loomba
Foundation to raise awareness of the
issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on
21st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly. The theme
of this year’s commemoration is ‘Never alone’, which is targeted towards
letting any widow realize that she is not standing alone regardless of the
circumstance.
Though anywhere in the world, anyone found
in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged because his/her
partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. In Africa,
particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman
is passing through the ordeal.
In
Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow irrespective of her status, is
severely molested, intimidated as well as humiliated. The major plight faced by
a widow in this part of the world is deprivation of her late husband’s
properties or possessions by her teeming in-laws. In this case, she would be
banned from making use of anything belonging to the deceased, thereby making
her appear like a mere slave in her matrimonial home.
In most cases, the widow in
question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without
minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through. In
some quarters, to prove her innocence, the poor widow would be mandated by the
accusers to drink the water used in washing her late husband’s corpse; a
practice that obviously seems highly irrational and barbaric.
To worsen the matter, she
might even be sent out of her matrimonial home as if she was not legitimately
married to the deceased. Even if she begot a child for the deceased, she would
be asked to leave with the child for her parental home. It’s worth noting that
this aspect of intimidation can make the sufferer commit suicide unannounced
owing to the gravity of ignominy attached to the ordeal.
Most pathetically, based on the locality, a
widow may be subjected to marry her late husband’s sibling, which is often
referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’. Funnily enough, the
so-called prospective husband of the widow may even be a married man or
sometimes an imbecile.
As Nigeria joins the global community to
commemorate the International Widows’ Day, we must acknowledge that in our
respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these
ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows are totally
eradicated. We can assist in the ongoing campaign by ensuring that in our
respective jurisdictions, a widow is not treated unjustly.
Similarly, every widow should be conscientized on the need to fight for
her right irrespective of the circumstance. Widowers should equally be
supported in any possible way in order to keep them away from any form of
emotional or psychological trauma.
The civil rights lawyers shouldn’t hesitate
to pursue any legal case regarding widowhood that’s brought to their chambers
even if the plaintiff lacks the financial muscle. In the same vein, the civil
society as well as the religious bodies ought to put up a holistic
sensitization toward making the general public understand the repercussion of
treating a widow or widower, as the case may be, unjustly.
The widows on their part are required to
form a formidable coalition in any locality they find themselves to enable them
possess one voice towards tackling any form of maltreatment they are usually
faced. By so doing, they can assist each other in solving any predicament.
They, particularly the less
privileged ones, should equally desist from exercising despair. It’s no doubt
very painful for one’s marriage/life partner to depart eternally, but that
shouldn’t make the victim of such circumstance see it as the end of the world. So,
such circumstance shouldn’t make them resort to any act, such as prostitution
and begging, that would ridicule their persons. Rather, they ought to absorb it
as one of the inevitable challenges nature brings, thereby making them appear
stronger both physically and psychologically. Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
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