“International Widows’ Day is an opportunity to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing.
“Without the economic and social protection of their husbands, many widows are treated as financial burdens by their families. They may lose their rights to inheritance and property, or even be forced out of their communities,’ Mr Ki-moon noted.
The International widows day was commemorated at the United Nations Information Centre on the 23rd of June 2015. The event had about one hundred widows from various areas in Lagos. Also, Honorable Abike Dabiri, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who lamented various inhuman treatment which widows often suffer, assured the widows on the position of the law regarding violence against persons – widows inclusive. Similarly, Professor Grace Alele Williams, the chairperson of the occasion advised the widows to seek to be education as education opened up opportunities.
The Secretary-General, represented by Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, in his message during the International Widows’ Day celebration stressed the need for creating a world with greater equality for generations to come which according to him ‘is the defining challenge of our time’.
