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. Many widows are hounded from their homes and denied access to
essential resources such as shelter and land to grow food. They are also subject
to degrading and life-threatening traditional practices. They have no status
and often they are figures of shame and ridicule.This neglect of millions of
widows has irrevocable long term implications for the future well-being and sustainable
development of all our societies.
Widows Rights International
Widows'
Rights International is a small UK based, non -profit, non-governmental organization
founded in 1996.
We aim to:
- Raise awareness and understanding of the problems
encountered by widows in developing countries and post-conflict areas:
- Promote the status
of widows' rights on the international human rights agenda:
- Assist organizations
in developing countries which support widows in fighting for their rights.
