The United Nations observes 23 June as International Widows Day, to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that they need. The pandemic has just worsened the situation during the past several months with a devastating human loss, and one that is likely leaving tens of thousands of women newly widowed at just the time when they are cut off from their usual socio-economic and family supports. Experience from past pandemics, for example, HIV/AIDS and Ebola, shows that widows are often denied inheritance rights, have their property grabbed after the death of a partner, and can face extreme stigma and discrimination, as perceived ‘carriers’ of disease. In the context of lockdowns and economic closures, widows may not have access to bank accounts and pensions to pay for healthcare if they too become ill or to support themselves and their children. With lone-mother families and single older women already particularly vulnerable to poverty, this is an area that needs urgent attention. There are an estimated 258 million widows around the world, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty. As women, they have specific needs, but their voices and experiences are often absent from policies that impact their survival. International Widows Day is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows. This includes providing them with information on access to a fair share of their inheritance, land, and productive resources; pensions and social protection that are not based on marital status alone; decent work and equal pay; and education and training opportunities. Empowering widows to support themselves and their families also mean addressing social stigmas that create exclusion, and discriminatory or harmful practices. In October 2018, with the support of @intiraymifund . Mrs Jemima Adamu (a widow) was among the 4 new beneficiaries who received zero-interest loans to boost/start new small and medium scale businesses. @generationsforpeace @unwomen @untrustfundevaw @ixmedia_ng @togetherforneeds @unitednations #widowsday #widows #widowsday2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBxL3vGJW4-/?igshid=2uthj4rne6mh
