Her adage is teaching people how to fish apart from giving them fish; this she has been doing for widows as well as empowering their children by giving them scholarship to further their education. In this interview with Omolara Akintoye, the Chief Executive Officer, Auxty Group of Companies, Lady Christie Onwuzulike, said to alleviate the plight of widows, the society must endeavour to moderate, and refine some aspects of the customs that are inimical to modernity and civilisation
iN many countries, a woman’s social status is inextricably linked to her husband’s. When her husband dies, her place in society is at risk of being compromised or diminished. Many widows around the world share two common experiences: a loss of social status and reduced economic circumstances. The state of widowhood is worsened by situations of poverty and lack of access to services and resources.
Onwuzulike is a very passionate woman who is deeply interested in the plight of women in the society, particularly widows and women whose rights are being violated. And that perhaps was the reason behind her establishing Petty Widows Empowerment some years back to enable her attend to the needs of her fellow women who are vulnerable.
According to her, Petty Widows Empowerment aims to empower widows through vocational training and spiritual and mental encouragement. “Rigorous classes aimed at developing entrepreneurial traits and small businesses offer widows a solution to the disparity. The adage, ‘teach a person how to fish and they’ll eat for days’ goes hand-in-hand with our mission to serve widows and orphans,” she said.
Onwuzulike in a recent interview recalled how she came from a humble background and even at that she had started the business of buying and selling even before she graduated from the university. And as soon as she finished her youth service, she has been helping the less privileged in the society. Lady Christie who is also in to oil and gas regretted that many widows are finding it hard in taking care of their children as a majority of them are not engaged in meaningful businesses.
She recalled the story of a woman whose husband was working in an oil company and was earning fat salary. “On three occasions, I encouraged the woman to go and find work with her certificate, but she said there was no need. Not long, her husband died. Her husband’s death affected the woman because she was not economically stable.”
She therefore stressed the need for women not to be idle and added that they should engage in profitable businesses no matter how little, so as to help them contribute their own quota to the development of their various families.
She also emphasised the need for women to assist her spouse financially, as this will allow peace to reign in the home.
According to her, when a woman assists the husband financially, the husband will be able to live longer.
Talking about the high rate of divorce in the society, she said that young people do not take time to study themselves before delving into marriage.
She blamed those young women who go into a relationship because of money, adding that “money is not everything.” One should not go into marriage relationship because of money because when the money is no longer there, there will be problem in that relationship. “Love should form the basis of any marriage relationship, and with that no matter the challenge the parties involved will overcome,” she said.
She frowned at those parents who push their children into marriage relationships because of what they as parents will benefit from such relationships.
”There are parents who will ensure that their children marry into a particular family because of riches or fame; it ought not to be so. Parents should guide their children in taking the right decision and not for their own selfish gains.”
Speaking about the empowerment programme she held recently, where over 50 widows were given cash gifts, she said it was aimed to equip vulnerable women with the support that they need to re-gain their confidence and self-esteem as well as enable them to start a small business or get life skills and education that can empower them to fulfil their dreams.
Her words: “We believe every woman deserves a chance to succeed. Our dream is to impact the lives of vulnerable women around the world. We want to help them get back on their feet again.
Speaking on what prompted her to empower the widows, Onwuzulike said whenever she goes to her village in Anambra State, most of the widows would come to her requesting for one thing or the other and she gives them. This she has been doing for the past four years, which prompted her to set up an organisation called Petty Widows Empowerment. “Rather than giving them cash all the time, it is better to empower them with enough capital with which they can start a business and they can fend for their families,” she said.
These women, she pointed out, are the types that once you empower them with the necessary skills and cash, and with the right equipments, they can be on their own and won’t bother you again.
While appreciating the fact that the Widowhood Rights Bill has been passed into law in Anambra, Onwuzulike charged the state to focus more on implementation and enforcement of the law so that these women’s rights will not be denied them. Onwuzulike also enjoined other states to pass the Widowhood Bill into law so that widows will have rights over their inheritance.
“The society must endeavour to moderate, and refine some aspects of the customs that are inimical to modernity and civilisation,” she concluded.