Widows Are Humans – Groups Seek End To Oppressive Practices In Nigeria
Category: Nigeria News
The Whisper To Humanity Foundation and Sisters With A Goal
Initiative, both Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), have called for an end
to oppressive widowhood practices in parts of the country.
The NGOs
while stressing the need to end all forms of discrimination, violence and
maltreatment faced by widows made the call at a sensitization workshop organized
in Owerri, on Thursday, to mark the year 2022 International Widows Day.
Recall that June 23 of every year was set aside by the UN in year
2011, following its resolution number A/RES/65/189, as a Day to draw attention
to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that
they need.
Also See: 150 Widows In Onitsha Beg House Of Reps Candidate To Marry Them
Executive Director, Whisper To Humanity, Mary-Jacobs
Okwuosa, said that the foundation, a youth-led feminist organization, was
addressing concerns bordering on the plight of widows who were oppressed.
She
added that her desire to uplift humanity was what informed her eagerness to
bridge the gaps through capacity building, education and knowledge
dissemination.
She advised Nigerians to treat widows with fairness
adding that “widowhood is not death and the society should stop making it an
oppression”.
Speaking, the Executive Co-ordinator, Sisters With A
Goal Initiative, Mrs MarJorie Ezihe, pledged her commitment to helping widows
confront their monsters, deal with their issues and be able to take care of
themselves and their families.
Ezihe, a widow and rights activist
who is also the Co-ordinator of the Imo Committee for Ending Violence Against
Women and Girls, frowned at oppressive widowhood practices such as forceful
shaving of hair, restriction of movement and deprivation.
She urged
widows not to allow themselves be intimidated, but to face their fears and speak
up for their voices to be heard.
” Grief is a personal thing and
forceful shaving of hair as a sign of grief is unconstitutional, which is why we
are sustainably engaging the conversations around harmful widowhood practices.
” Widows are humans, they have the right to live and be happy. They
should be allowed to do things that positively impact their environment”, she
said.
One of the participants, Mrs Rabi Hassan, a widow, thanked the
organizers of the programme for giving the widows a voice and advised her fellow
widows not to give up on life.
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