As the world all over celebrated the 2022 International Widows Day, a Non Governmental Organization based in Nigeria, Enemona Humanitarian Foundation has called on government at all level to abolish all discriminatory cultural practices against widows in the country.
The charge was contained in a statement issued by Executive Director, Enemona Humanitarian Foundation, Williams Illah to commemorate the 2022 International Widows day.
The statement which was issued on behalf of the Foundation’s president Gabriel Onoja said, widows in Nigeria most often than not passed through a lot of horrible and inhuman act perpetrated by their husband’s family and the society on a daily basis.
Williams Illah who wants specific actions taken against members of the society who maltreat widows and their children urged the government to be proactive in whipping the tears of widows in the society.
The Foundation noted that, widows are still being subjected to gruesome funeral rites such as forced ‘purification’ sexual violence, rape, shaving their heads, locking them up, denying them bath; forceful taking over of their family inheritance and others discriminatory practices against the rights of the widows.
The statement however appealed to the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to consider widows in its food, shelter; medical and business grant arrangements to enable them survive while mourning their husbands.
Enemona foundation also urged philanthropists, Civil Societies, Non-governmental organizations, the media and women lawyers to team up and form a formidable force that would adequately protect this vulnerable segment of the society to secure their human dignity.
The Executive Director however reiterated the commitment of its president, Gabriel Onoja to continually provide for Widows on its scheme in Kogi State as resources improved over time.
