The Rose of Sharon Foundation midweek hosted a Stakeholders Widowhood Rights Programme.
The event which held at the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Registry Hall had in attendance representatives of the Executive Chairman and house member, of Oshodi/Isolo Local government, including policy officials, HODs of women affairs, Agric and Social Development, women leaders, widows, school administrators, CSOs, lawyers, religious, traditional and community leaders.
Speaking, Country Manager, Rose of Sharon, said the day’s event was to focus on Advocacy and Capacity Building programme bordering on sensitisation and information dialogue on the challenges of widows and widowhood rights. She raised awareness about cultural issues, gender norms, inheritance rights and legal protection for widows.
She spoke about collaborating as stakeholders to change the narrative in order to achieve behavioural change towards better treatment of widows and respect for their rights, to discourage practices that devastate and discriminate against widows.
Recounting their traumatic and dehumanising experiences at the hands of in-laws, two widows Mrs. Jacinta Ekwonye and Mrs. Blessing Ogwudu, called on the community and the government to provide specific social protection and fair practices for widows.
Abimbola Jack Oladugba, the vice chairman of FIDA spoke about poor treatment of widows and enlightened stakeholders on existing laws (such as the Nigerian Constitution and VAPP Act of 2015) that protect widows. She also enlightened them on how to seek legal processes in the event of discrimination, maltreatment and violation of the rights of widows.
She said over 90 percent of Nigeria’s cultural practices aimed at widows are barbaric and repugnant to social justice and Nigerians should confront them rather than fold their hands and expect them to go away.
Most disappointing, she said is the fact that “the main pushers of these dehumanising cultures are women themselves.”
Olori A. Jaiyeola of Serendipity House of Widows called on widows to imbibe business and entrepreneurial spirit, rather than wallow in pity.
She said, “A widow can better her lot by simply frying and selling groundnuts in front of her house rather than begging for survival. Widows should think inwards rather than expecting handouts from NGOs all the time.”
She also recommended a widows’ fellowship on every street, stating that “There are four million widows and 5,000 wives will become widows in a week in Nigeria while 500 men will lose their wives in a week. Altogether, 111,000 widows are in every state in Nigeria.”
Chairman Ogunoloko CDA, Mr. Oladipupo John, challenged men to develop their spouses, as this will be beneficial to the family in the end.
At the end of proceedings, stakeholders signed a commitment to take action in their communities and space of influence to protect and promote the rights of widows.
Other speakers at the event include: Mrs. Siji Odekunle, HOD Ministry of Women Affairs, Oshodi/Isolo LGA, Mrs Adekeye from MFM Church and Mrs Ibrahim Adenike, Dep. Director of Education, Mrs. Olajobi Muslimot Adenike, Vice Chairperson, Nawarudeen Muslim Society, Oshodi, Mrs. A. O. Opebi, President, National Council of Women Society etc.