Tuesday, 23 June, marks the 10th anniversary of International Widows Day, a day dedicated to the hundreds of millions of women and their children across the world who suffer exploitation, deprivation and exclusion when their husbands die.
This is an issue that affects more than a billion people who are denied their right to live in dignity – yet it still does not get the attention it deserves.
I ask that this day is not just an occasion to remember but an opportunity to act and eliminate violence and discrimination against widows and their families. We must ensure that widows of all ages and their children are treated as full and equal citizens, with equal opportunities for employment, education and participation in the economy.
We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the plight of widows. Let’s make this year’s International Widows Day the starting point of an ongoing change in the lives of millions of people.
Raj Loomba
Founder of the Loomba Foundation
Source: https://www.theguardian.com
