Extract from a message to opening plenary of the 2001 conference by Mrs Graça Machel
....Wherever they are, irrespective of their religion and culture, a common feature of widowhood is the violence perpetrated against them at the hands of near relatives and condoned by the inaction of governments.
How you can help WRI
If you can give us information about recent changes in legislation
In your country which protects widows from discrimination, or new social
policies which are aimed at supporting widows who live in poverty, this is
of great help to our research effort.
Just use this email form to send us the details.
If you can provide us with really good statistics
About the number of widows in your country, whether they are in rural or urban areas, and whether they are between 15-29, 30-59 or 60 and over, this is also very useful information.
If you have information about struggles widows in your country
Are waging, or victories they have won through the courts,
please let us know.
All this information is very helpful for us in compiling
our picture of the position and condition of widows and what needs to be
done by governments and international agencies to remedy social injustices.
If you would like to help us support more widows groups
Send us a donation, or ask us for a gift aid declaration if you are a UK tax payer.
You can also log onto this page on our website (not yet available) where there is a donation facility.