Widows Rights International (WRI)
Suite 405,
Davina House
137-149 Goswell Rd
London EC1V 7ET
020 7253 5504

Welcome

Message from the Chair (continued)

The treatment of widows continues to abrogate their human rights. In Asia and Africa widows are still subject to traditional practices which lead to their dire poverty, social ostracism and exclusion as well as loss of their homes and children.  Child marriage, HIV/AIDS and civil strife mean that many widows are young, even children when their husbands die.  In many cultures widows have no rights to inheritance or land ownership, and even where modern legislation provides such rights, ignorance of the law of widows or cultural practices impede their access to it.

This serious abuse of the human rights of widows and their children is still unrecognized even by organsations concerned with human rights violations.  That is why WRI will continue to promote and protect the rights of widows and to lobby international organizations, national governments and the legal profession to recognise the special vulnerability of widows to negative social attitudes and practices which lead to their isolation, exploitation and poverty and sometimes their death.

In order to eradicate the  harmful and deep-rooted cultural practices which underpin the attitude to widows, WRI  has to work entirely with  grassroots organizations in many countries.

We support them in their brave efforts –from visiting widows in their homes, building shelters for the homeless, and offering counseling and guidance, undertaking legal challenges to prevent children and homes being seized by families, and even talking to mourners during funerals, reminding the community of their responsibility to support the widow and her children.

That is what we do, and with your help, we will continue this work.

Quotes

Widows belong to all ages.  They may be elderly women, but many are young mothers and there are also child widows…The stigma of widowhood can affect not only widows but also their children.  Children may be deprived of shelter, food, health, education.  They may be vulnerable to violence…To break the cycle of violence and discrimination against women, it is vital to change attitudes both within governments andadministrations and throughout society

By Mary Robertson, Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (February 2001)