Description

Date - 23rd Jun 2021

Every year since 2011, June 23 has been celebrated as "International Widows Day" to draw attention to the unheard voices of widows, draw attention to their problems and mobilize the support they need in difficult times. International Widows Day is a United Nations-ratified day of action to combat the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents around the world.

For many widows around the world, the loss of a husband means the loss of income, rights, and possibly children. In his message on the occasion of the International Day of Widows, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said:

“Let's pledge to give widows access to legal and social protection.”

Click on the image to view the official tweet

The theme for International Widows Day 2021 is Invisible Women, Invisible Issues. This year's theme aims to highlight the fact that for many societies around the world, a woman's identity is still tied to her partner, and in the event of his death, the facial issues faced by wives are largely ignored by politicians.

Why is International Widows Day needed?

In addition to ensuring a dignified life and respect for widows around the world, recognition is also required for many legal reasons. Even today, widows face stigma and discrimination following the death of their partners. According to the UN, women are much less likely to have access to an old-age pension than men. Widows are also often denied inheritance rights.

With forced isolation from COVID-19 and job loss, widows struggle to pay for their health care and support themselves and their children. Single-parent families are also particularly vulnerable to trauma and poverty trauma.

What is history?

The United Nations General Assembly formally proclaimed 23 June as International Widows Day 21 December 2010 for the sixth time. Following the sixth International Widows Day, events were held in countries such as the United States, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, India, Syria, Kenya and Bangladesh.

But before receiving recognition from the United Nations, this day has already been celebrated since 2005 by the Lumba Foundation. Rajinder Paul Lumba, Member of the House of Lords, London, created the Loomba Foundation and began working on the various problems faced by widows in developing countries.

Why was this date chosen?

The date June 23 was chosen by the foundation as the official date, since it was on this day in 1954 that Shrimati Pushpa Wati Lumba, the mother of the founder Rajinder Paul Lumba, became a widow. Lumba was inspired by the struggles his mother went through when she lost her partner at the age of 37 in 1954.

The Loomba Foundation works closely with widows' children in poor and developing countries to help them attend school. He has worked extensively in various countries, including India, as well as other countries in Asia and Africa.

Significance

International Widows Day provides an opportunity to work for the benefit of widows around the world. He calls for action to recognize widows and to help them realize their rights. This day also refers to providing widows with information and details on access to a fair share of their inheritance, land and productive resources; decent work and equal pay; pensions and social protection based not only on marital status.

According to the United Nations, empowering widows to support themselves and their families also means eliminating social prejudices that create isolation and encourage discriminatory or harmful practices.

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