International Widows' Day

In Douala, economic capital of Cameroon, it was attended and chaired by the followings: Senators, Eposes of administrative authorities,  Female juries, Dignitaries of many feminine NGOs associations, Governor of the littoral regions represented by his secretary, Delegate of public service littoral region, Civil right society officials. Photo credit: Nadine Tonguem of Empower Success In Africa (ESIA)

International Widows' Day was introduced to address poverty and injustice faced by widows and their children in many countries. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2010 and is usually observed anually on June 23. 

"No woman should lose her rights when she loses her husband – but an estimated 115 million widows live in poverty, and 81 million have suffered physical abuse. Girls married to much older men are especially vulnerable. Let us use International Widows’ Day to advocate for the rights of all widows so they can enjoy better lives and realize their great potential to contribute to our world." by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Absent in statistics, unnoticed by researchers, neglected by national and local authorities and mostly overlooked by civil society organizations – the situation of widows is, in effect, invisible.

Yet abuse of widows and their children constitutes one of the most serious violations of human rights and obstacles to development today. Millions of the world’s widows endure extreme poverty, ostracism, violence, homelessness, ill health and discrimination in law and custom.

This event was however celebrated in Douala, Cameroon on the 26th June 2013 . The theme of the day was:"Acting together to end discriminatory practices and customs against widows".

Quinta Rita Edang reporting for CRTV gave a brief on how this day was commemorated in Yaoundé the political capital of Cameroon saying: the day was highlighted by a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Women`s Empowerment and the Family, Marie Therese Abena. she urge stakeholders and policy makers to work in synergy to enable widows regain their dignity in the society. Her plea is supported by the fact that many widows are deprived of all rights to succession in some communities when their husbands die.

A brief background of this day from timeanddate.com: International Widows' Day was initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005. The plight of widows world-wide has been the foundation's focus since it was established in 1997. According to its founder, Raj Loomba, women in many countries experience great hardship after their husbands die. “They are not looked after by governments or NGOs and they are shunned by society.” The observance falls on June 23 because Loomba's mother became a widow on that date in 1954.

President of the widows plate form

Administrative members of the widows plate form (most are widows themselves) 

Secretary General of the Governor of Littoral Region extending a handshake to the President of the widows plate form

Newly elected Senator in the middle, La Reine Lojio Martine on the left, Mr Desire Dolle who is the assistant to the Regional Delegate (Miniprorf/ut) 

Photo credit: Nadine Tonguem of Empower Success In Africa (ESIA)