By Gloria Osemudiamhen
The Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has condemned the outrageous and harmful practices inflicted upon widows in the society and advocated empathy and economic empowerment to support them in coping with the loss of their spouses.
Mrs. Anani made the declarations during a widows’ empowerment programme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in commemoration of the year 2025 International Widows’ Day, held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City.
Citing some traditional rituals and rites imposed on widows following the demise of their husbands, Mrs. Anani, represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Nimata Umar Ikhilor, decried the unfavourable and oppressive nature of such practices. According to her, “This occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges many widows face in our society including poverty, social isolation and lack of access to justice.
“Let us say no to harmful widowhood practices (HWP) in our communities. HWP are obnoxious inhuman treatment of women following the deaths of their husbands. These HWPs involve dehumanizing rites and rituals that women are mandated to follow. Widowhood is often the beginning of life-long oppression and misery for women.
“As the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady Edo State, I have witnessed first-hand, the impact of widowhood on women. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that widows receive the support and empowerment they deserve. We must work tirelessly to ensure that widows have access to legal aid, property rights and other essential services that promote their well-being. Initiatives that provide economic support, such as skills acquisition programmes and financial assistance, can help widows become self-sufficient.”
Mrs. Anani solicited for collaboration among relevant stakeholders in providing necessary support for widows, to enable them live fulfilling lives. She highlighted the need to create a supportive environment where widows can access healthcare, education, and social services without facing stigma or discrimination.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Bisi Idaomi, highlighted the significance of the programme and emphasised its importance in addressing the challenges faced by widows in society, as well as creating economic and social opportunities for them, among other key objectives. According to her, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to supporting one of the most vulnerable yet resilient segments of our society.
“As we commemorate the International Widows’ Day, we gather not just to acknowledge their struggles, but to celebrate their strength, resilience and invaluable contributions to our communities. The theme for this year resonates deeply with our mission, access to justice and empowerment for vulnerable widows. It emphasises the urgent need to address the systemic inequalities that disproportionately affect widows and to create pathways for their economic empowerment and social inclusion.”
In her remarks, the wife of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mrs. Helen Agbonika, emphasized that widowhood is a phase, not a disease, and urged the beneficiaries to utilize the items wisely for wealth creation, cautioning them against selling the items.
Highpoint of the event was the distribution of empowerment items including sewing machines, popcorn-making machines, point of sale (POS) machines, 80-litre coolers with umbrellas and chairs, among other items, which were allocated to the beneficiaries through a balloting process.
