Stakeholders throw their weight behind proposed widowhood leave bill
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, has thrown its weight behind a proposed bill which seeks to provide widowhood leave for both men and women who have lost their spouses.
NAWOJ alongside other stakeholders made their position known at a public hearing on the proposed bill held by the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs on Monday.
In his remarks, the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Abdullahi Saidu Musa who emphasized that the loss of a spouse is an unimaginable experience, bringing profound social, financial, and familial challenges, noted that unfortunately, Nigeria’s labor laws do not explicitly provide for widowhood leave, leaving many grieving spouses to struggle with both personal loss and work responsibilities.
Honourable Musa said the bill, aims to address this gap by ensuring that widows and widowers are granted adequate time off work to grieve, reorganize their lives, and fulfill religious and cultural obligations without the fear of losing their jobs or income.
In her remarks, in support of the bill at the public hearing, National Chairperson of NAWOJ Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim said the bill if passed will greatly contribute to the overall well-being of women, providing much-needed support during difficulties.
Also speaking Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in supporting the bill said “the Maputo Protocol which Nigeria ratified in 2004, mandates state parties to eliminate discrimination against and uphold the dignity of widows through legal protections and socio-economic support mechanisms. “By enacting widowhood leave, Nigeria will be advancing compliance with the Maputo Protocol, ensuring equal rights in marriage, and protecting widows from social and economic deprivation.”
National President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria Princess Edna Azurfa who was present at the public hearing also expressed support for the proposed bill noting that “current Labour policies do not adequately address this critical life event. Employees are often required to return hastily from mourning periods without sufficient time to process their loss, a scenario detrimental both personally and professionally.
Establishing widowhood leave would provide essential support during this vulnerable period, facilitating healthier grieving processes while allowing individuals the space needed to manage responsibilities that arise in such challenging times.”
Sponsor of the bill said the “Widowhood Leave Bill,” once passed into law, will significantly aid in the emotional healing of spouses who lose their partners.