By John Ugo, Awka
Widows in the Southeast geo-political zone have urged the state governors to take urgent steps to save them from the dehumanizing practices by traditional institutions inimical to their rights and welfare.
They kicked against inhuman treatments visited on them by traditional institutions in Igbo land, particularly, in Anambra state.
They lamented that it is the widespread practice that properties including bank accounts left behind by the dead husbands have been denied them and children.
Speaking during a protest under the umbrella of Precious Widows Association of Nigeria, they urged the respective state governments in the South East to make laws that would protect and respect the rights and interests of widows in the geo political zone.
President of Precious Widows Association of Nigeria, Hon Mrs Uju Izuako who expressed dissatisfaction during this year’s celebration of the Intranational Widows Day held in Awka the Anambra’ state capital said the group is faced with dearth of funds to cater for their families.
She lamented that majority of the widows have lost millions of Naira worth of properties left behind for them and children to harmful maltreatment in the hands of their deceased husbands families and harmful traditional practices.
“We have over 500 widows which you can see for yourself and they have been trained in the area of Skill acquisition but they do not have the capital to rake off and this is as a result of the inhuman treatments against them by the traditional institutions who use several practices to deprive them of their entitlements.
“Some of them have lost their husbands property such as lands and buildings and even bank accounts to relations of their late husbands because they are widows and they do not have anyone to speak or fight for them hence those skills that they have acquired cannot be put to use”she said.
Former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Mrs Bridget Obi and Patron of the organization urged the respective state governments in Igbo land to put laws in place to protect the widows and also create special facilities that can assist them to be self or gainfully employed.
“When you look at the economic situation in this country you can agree with me that it is difficult for families where both husband and wife are alive let alone when the man of the house is no more.
“So it is important for the government and pubic spirited individuals to come in and assist them in the area of grants , and soft loans for them to help themselves. Also, they have brilliant children that can be sponsored to obtain good education” she stated
General Secretary of the body Mrs Olieh Paschalia however commended the Anambra state Ministry of Women Affairs for its roles in encouraging the women especially widows.
She said that such gestures would be far reaching in the long run and appealed to the leaders of traditional institutions and faith-based organizations to embrace the policy of better life for the Widows.
