Our Vision
Our vision is to see, in all countries where widowhood is an issue, particularly in areas of conflict, federations of widows’ associations, which will ensure that widows’ voices are heard by their governments, so that every widow is protected by law from discrimination, violence and abuse, and can enjoy her full human rights as an equal and valuable member of society.
Our Mission
Our mission is to ensure that widows have a voice at peacenegotiation tables, since widows and wives of the disappeared confront specific problems vastly different from those of other women.
Where we work
We work with widows’ groups primarily in:
South Asia:
Afghanistan, Nepal, North East India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistani Administered Kashmir [in reference of the North West Frontier Province]
Africa:
Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo [ex-Zaire], Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania
The Middle East:
Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey
Advisory Board
Elsie Onubogu, Gender Advisor Commonwealth Secretariat
Brita Schmidt, Global Programme Officer, Women for Women
Baroness Sally Greengross (Commissioner Equality Council)
Baroness Haleh Afshar (Chair, Women’s Studies, York University)
Baroness Helena Kennedy
Baroness Joyce Gould, Chair – UK Women’s National Commission (WNC)
Baroness Shirley Williams
Baroness Emma Nicholson
Charlotte Onslow (Co-Ordinator, GAPS UK (Gender Action on Peace and Security)
Lady Fiona Hodgson, President – Conservative Women’s Committee
Dr. Pat Holden (former DFID Senior Social Development Advisor)
Maggie Baxter (former Director – Womankind Worldwide, UK Programme for Women
Mark Muller, Chair – UK Bar Human Rights Committee