NAWOJ calls on stakeholders to end hardship faced by widows

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on relevant stakeholders to bring an end to the hardship and challenges faced by widows.

The association made this known in a statement signed by the Chairperson Aisha Ibrahim.

Ibrahim while noting that the loss of a spouse or partner was a heartbreaking and traumatic experience that no one could endure, lamented that widows unfortunately face numerous challenges, including loneliness, reproach, poverty, and socio-economic and health constraints.

She pledged the commitment of NAWOJ to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote gender equity and work together to eradicate the discrimination and violations faced by widows.

The UN has designated June 23rd as International Widows’ Day to raise awareness about the rights of widows worldwide and the issues that affect them.

Nigeria with 15 million widows bears a significant proportion of the global widow population of 258 million.

Nigerian widows often face dehumanization, stigmatization, discrimination, and maltreatment due to harmful cultural practices, family ideologies, and societal norms.