Yakin Ertürk, Director, UN Division for the Advancement of Women
...The issues which widows generally face and those encountered by women in developing countries are cause for serious concern. The situation of widows should continue to be featured on the international fora until they become firmly integrated into the policy agenda.
Position of Mrs X in the hands of Indian Courts
A case sent by Mr Anukul Nayak, Managing Trustee of Sradhanjali Charitable
Trust
Bhubaneswar, India.
For centuries women not only in India but all over the world have been treated
as occupying a secondary position to men. In India many social reformers look
up the cause of injustice against women. As a result during the colonial administration
period laws like Abolition of Sati (1829), Widows Remarriage Act (1856), Civil
Marriage Act (1872) etc. were enacted.
These laws need to be activated and utilised by concerned interests. The first requirement is awareness of the law by widows themselves and how to use it.
In Bhubaneswar, Orissa 3 years back a lady was tortured by her in-laws because of the sudden demise of her husband. After the expiry of her husband Mrs. X tried to stay in her home but to her ill fate she was compelled to vacate her late husband’s house with her small kid. Now the house is being enjoyed by her in-laws.
Although she tried to use the shelter of law to fight against her in-laws
to get her property back there were many rumours that her husband had gifted
the said property to his younger brother who is insane. 
The question
is who will take care of the wealth if the younger brother is an insane man
and also why the property is not going to the widow who has a small child who
will ultimately inherit the property. The case is at the court of law
but unfortunately Mrs .X is unable to pay the fees to her Attorney to fight
the case against her in-laws.
See the cases histories of our partner ASHISH for similar injustices.
From WRI Newsletter 5 - Full copies of the Newsletter available from WRI office