Stakeholders have called for the adoption of a national widow protection policy to bridge the gap between existing laws and their implementation, stating that many widows, particularly in rural communities, remain vulnerable to abuse and discriminatory customary practices.

The call was made during the commemoration of International Widows Day 2026, with the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Empowerment for Widows: The Responsive Governance Pathway,” organised by Rose of Sharon Foundation (ROSF).

Principal Partner at FAO Legal Consult, Lagos, Mrs. Olufunmilola Odunlami, said that though several legal frameworks exist to protect women, weak enforcement, poor awareness, and the absence of a coordinated policy have limited their impact.

She urged traditional rulers, community leaders and influential persons in villages to champion advocacy against harmful widowhood practices, noting that many rural residents are unaware of the laws protecting widows’ rights. According to her, a dedicated national policy would strengthen enforcement, improve access to justice, establish accountability mechanisms and provide designated offices where widows can report abuses and seek redress.

She insisted that widows should be recognised as rights holders entitled to dignity, property, livelihood, justice and equal participation in decision-making processes affecting them, while also advocating affordable legal services, stronger legal aid institutions, widow protection units within government agencies and improved enforcement of court judgments involving widows.