WRI Newsletter 7th Edition July 2006
Editorial
Efforts by WRI to garner international support for action against harmful traditional beliefs and practices surrounding widowhood continue. This year, WRI is seeking ways to engage the United Nations to undertake research into the conditions and status of widows, particularly in Asia and Africa, and to promote commitment by Governments to end abuses against widows.
This is especially important because in the Secretary General’s proposals for the agenda of the CSW over the next few years, widows are mentioned only in the context of HIV/AIDS prevention. No mention is made of widows in sections devoted to inheritance and property rights, the rights of the child, or any of the other issues surrounding gender equality.
Much work seeking support for WRI’s activities was undertaken at the recent meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, held in New York from February 27 to March 10. The WRI delegation met with representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights practitioners working on widowhood issues. At a special event, Widows Rites and Wrongs, organised by WRI to raise awareness of the issues, testimonies from widows in Africa and India were read out and served to highlight in a personal but painful way the suffering which so many widows undergo in many countries.
Expressions of support for WRI’s work have encouraged us to widen our outreach to prominent legislators in African countries as well as in India and Nepal. We will also be working to sponsor a resolution at the United Nations which will facilitate the inclusion of widowhood issues in all aspects of the work for gender equality being undertaken by the entire UN family.
On a personal note, it is with regret that we announce the resignation of Dr Kate Young, our indefatigable Chair for the past five years. Kate brought to WRI years of experience of working at the highest levels in the fields of women’s rights and gender equality. She will remain a Trustee to give me, her successor, the benefit of her support and wisdom.
Patsy Robertson
NEWS FROM AFRICA
Woman Of Purpose (WOP), our Ugandan Partner Promoting Widows’ Rights Through Alternative Dispute Resolution
WiDO, our partner in Nigeria Ani's Story 
Widows and ‘‘Professional inheritors” (Kenya)
NEWS FROM ASIA
ASHISH, our partner in Secunderabad.. Esther's Story
The widows’ survey by our partner in Afghanistan (AWEC)
Good News for Widows in Kabul (CARE)
India to place new ruling on child marriages
Widows shame Canada into restoring food aid: Silenced by Taliban, women reclaim their voice
Iraq: Widow numbers rise in wake of violence
Funding News
FUNDERS FOR GENDER ISSUES The Women’s Funding Network (WFN)
The Urgent Action Fund (UAF)
From WRI Newsletter 7 - Full copies of the Newsletter available from WRI office