Better Days for Widows of all Ages! ~ Commemorating International Widows Day 2025

‘We must all be united in one voice in speaking against injustice and violence against widows of all ages.’

By Adenike Oladejo,
Director and Founder of Widows Rejoice Mission– Widows for Peace Network member in Lagos, Nigeria.

June 23rd of every year is observed as the International Widows Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by widows globally.

On this day, we focus on the plight of widows of all ages in all nations.
Widows often face significant hardships following the loss of their spouses.

Aside from hardship, a lot of widows have many distressing stories to tell. The hideous stories of:

• Grief experienced through the loss of a loved one;
• Stories of how widows have been denied their rights and access to inheritance – land rights etc;
• Story of serious economic and financial challenges with children dropping out of school and lacking adequate care and provision for daily survival;
• Shocking stories of the discrimination, poverty, and social isolation that many widows endure, especially in developing countries;
• There are stories of the social injustices faced by millions of widows around the world;
• Stories about widows being stigmatised and accused of killing the husband;
• There are stories of widows going through cultural and harmful traditional practices;
• Horrendous stories of forced marriages and child marriages after the loss of spouses;
• Alarming stories of widows living in extreme poverty and becoming victims of human trafficking;
• The count continues of heart-rending stories of loneliness and feelings of depression;
• There are also stories of serious health challenges and the lack of access to the good health care system;
• In extreme cases, are unpalatable stories of widows dying as a result of these challenges.

I want to remind us today about these unpalatable stories and the struggles faced by many widows and their children. Widows need our support, care, and show of love.
They need essential services such as legal aid, together with the promotion of legal reforms that will protect the rights of widows. Widows must also have access to inheritance, property, and social services.

We must all call for stronger legal protections and social support systems to ensure that widows can live with dignity and security. Widows must be given financial support, education, skill training, and good healthcare services.

Policy must be changed to favour widows in various communities. Likewise, we must all be united in one voice in speaking against injustice and violence against widows of all ages.
Today, we must all remind ourselves of the need to provide the necessary support to widows who are struggling with the economic and social challenges of widowhood in order to improve their living conditions.
Are you a widow reading this article? I want to encourage you to be very strong. The story and situations now may not be palatable, and you may be deeply embittered. Feeling embittered and grieved is not only peculiar to you alone, but it is a common phenomenon with many other widows who are in grief, through the loss of their loved one.
But I encourage you to be of good cheers for your joy is coming. Very soon, situations will turn around for better for you.

Are you presently going through grief, crying, and feeling emotionally downcasted as a result of your loss? Be encouraged and strengthened. Your tears shall be wiped away.
Take time out to share your burden and your feelings with someone who is trusted and who truly cares genuinely about you. Gradually, you will be healed of your grief and be uplifted.

The fact also remains that a lot of widows are also feeling alone and and lonely. Two they say are better than one. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. However, this is not the case with many widows. So unfortunate that many widows are all alone and feeling lonely, with no one to share their concerns and burden with and with no one to lift them up!
Are you reading this article and feeling alone and lonely? I encourage you to cheer up and embrace all ways to break out of your loneliness. Surround yourself with good people with a good mindset that can lift you up. Get involved and get busy.

Economically, a lot of poor widows are challenged. They do not have enough money in their bank account and are also finding it difficult to feed and care for their children .
If this looks like your story, don’t worry, things will get better for you. I encourage you to go out there and learn new skills. As you labour, the provisions will come, and things will get better for you economically.

Many widows have been denied their properties and what rightly belongs to them. Has your property been taken away from you, or you’ve been driven out of your matrimonial home?
Prayerfully seek the right counsel and guidance in addressing the issue. You can also use legal action in resolving the matter, and all will be well.

Sickness has rendered many widows inactive and unproductive. They are finding it very difficult to operate at an optimal level.
Are you challenged in your health? Seek the right medical help, take medication, and be hopeful of getting better in your health. Eat right and take good care of yourself even with the little resources that are available. I assure you that your health will improve and get better.
My dear reader, I want you to know that no matter how unpalatable the situations may be right now in your life, there are bigger plans ahead of you!!!
Look beyond the troubles of the present time into the future glory that is ahead of you. No matter how long it takes, your seemingly hopeless situations will be transformed into beautiful blessings.
These challenges and traumatic stories are not going to be there forever in your life. They will definitely expire, give way, and come to an end. There shall be joy in your life again.
Be of good cheers, weeping may endure for a night, but your joy comes in the morning!!! THINGS WILL GET BETTER.

Happy International Widows Day, 2025.

Zipporah Omowunmi Adenike Oladejo.
Founder, Widows Rejoice Mission,
Lagos, Nigeria,
West Africa.

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