As part of efforts aimed at holistically addressing the plight of widows and promoting their rights, the Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), recently conducted a comprehensive widowhood rights program, aimed at sensitising stakeholders across various communities.

The outreach, which held in Lagos at Kosofe local government, was attended by widows, community leaders and stakeholders .

The foundation, which has been in existence for over a decade and is known for its focus on alleviating the challenges faced by widows and orphans, has been actively advocating for widowhood rights and providing them support.

Country Manager, RoSF, Dr. Ndudi Bowei, underscored the significance of involving community stakeholders in understanding and championing the rights of widows.

“It is a meeting where we engage community stakeholders on widowhood rights. We go from community to community to achieve this,” she said.

Speaking on some of the unwholsome ways widows are treated in Nigeria, she said they are often treated almost like sub humans. Dr. Bowei reiterated the foundation’s commitment to continue advocating for widows’ rights and urged policymakers, stakeholders and the government, to incorporate widowhood rights into policies for better protection and support.

One of the speakers at the event, Barrister Ijeoma Olatunbosun, stressed the significance of widows understanding their rights and the laws that should protect them.

“The right of every widows must be protected and respected in our society,” she said.

She urged widows to speak up against harassment and discrimination, reassuring them of the foundation’s support.

While encouraging stakeholders to collaborate with the foundation, she begged them to advocate for widows by creating awareness campaigns and also engage the media to constantly preach the rights of widows. Olatunbosun further urged collective action to end discrimination against widows and to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

Head of the Department of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in Kosofe Local Government, Okunade Oluwakemi, commended RoSF for their efforts in educating and empowering widows across different communities. She highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between stakeholders and NGOs to advocate for widows’ rights.

She touched some on initiatives of the local government chairman, Moyosore Ogunleye, in supporting widows such as giving them grants to start up businesses, food palliatives and skill empowerment programs.

Thanking the foundation, some of the widows recounted their experiences since the death of their husbands and how the RoSF met with them and has supported them in different ways over the last couple of years.