By Zika Bobby
In keeping with its vision of promoting widows’ rights and attaining a more equitable and just society for Nigerian widows, Rose of Sharon Foundation, a leading non-governmental organisation has held its bi-annual widows rights stakeholders’ sensitisation and advocacy programme, entitled: Widowhood Rights Programme (WRP), in Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), in Lagos.
Speaking, Protection Officer, Patriotic Citizen Initiative, Ijeoma Olatunbonsun, said the rights of a widow must be respected and realised for their wellbeing in the society.
Olatunbosun encouraged widows to understand the laws that protect them, noting that these laws are fundamental in fighting for their rights, including the right to inherit their late husband’s assets.
While urging the participants to look out for widows in their environment and stop the barbaric acts and practices widows are made to go through, after the demise of their husbands, she suggested stakeholders can collaborate with ROSF through the WRP.
According to her, WRP has continued to advocate for the uplift of Nigerian widows through active engagement with stakeholders at the grassroots while discouraging discrimination and violent practices targeted at widows.
Also speaking, the Country Manager of the Rose of Sharon Foundation, Ndudi Bowei, advocated widows’ rights, saying it is one of the missions of the foundation, and while WRP was created.
Bowei called on stakeholders to sign the commitment banner as a demonstration of their support to protect widows.
She said the foundation was already taking steps to partner the government and other non-governmental agencies in protecting the right of widows, who traditionally are victims of harmful cultural practices in the society.
One of the beneficiaries of the foundation, Adeleke shared her story of struggling to raise her children and her ordeal at the hands of in-laws at the death of her husband.
Another beneficiary, Folake Williams, recounted the impact the foundation has made in easing their plights and changing their lives, through educational scholarships for her children and provision of interest-free loans, as the foundation continues to alleviate the challenges faced by widows in Nigeria.
Iyalode of Igbogbo, Karimot Ojikutu, commended the foundation for its numerous projects geared towards the economic uplift of widows. Ojikutu encouraged the widows to keep their hopes in God above all things, as the one who is able to take care of them.
The representative of the Leader of the House, Jimoh Adekunle appreciated the foundation for her efforts in reducing the burden of widows and requested that more should also be done for orphans’, as captured in the foundation’s mission and objectives. Adekunle emphasised the need to take care of orphans, and raise them properly, to avoid lack of parental care, and them becoming nuisances to the community, which in turn affects the nation at large.
The programme, which is the second edition for the year, had in attendance several community leaders, gatekeepers, and stakeholders.