Yakin Ertürk, Director, UN Division for the Advancement of
Women: supporting our conference in 2001
.... "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.
Woman Of Purpose (WOP), our Ugandan Partner
IMPACT OF SENSITIZATION
“Knowledge is power!” So goes the famous saying. That is what the Hope for Widows Project has set out to confirm. When we announced that we were going to carry out a baseline survey on the conditions of widows in Agule and Kameke Sub Counties of Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda, many people wondered 
why anyone would be bothered about widows.
“Why waste time asking us questions when you already know how poor we are. Instead, give us money for income generating activities” most of the widows said. The baseline survey showed that most of the widows were resigned their fate i.e. living under the burden of cultural beliefs and the tyranny of in-laws. The community was not bothered about widows – they were described as carriers of bad luck and whatever problems they went through were considered a result of the curse they brought to the clan through their widowhood!!
When we started helping the widows by making contributions for burial expenses, repairing dilapidated grass thatched roofs and sometimes helping out with medical bills, the community woke up to the realization that the widows were not an abandoned and cursed group. We initiated community empowerment through legal education programmes. This was mainly through visiting bereaved homesteads and educating mourners about the need to respect widows’ rights. The community is educated about the importance of supporting widows and orphans using attendance at the funerals to talk to the mourners about the need to look to the future and protect as well as support them. We help the community realise that no woman ever desires to be a widow and that any woman can find herself widowed at any time. 
The result so far is that the widows are beginning to walk with their heads held high. Members of the community have realised that there are people who are concerned with the welfare of widows. Thanks to the legal aid clinics provided by our associate lawyers and para-legals, who visit our offices twice a month to offer legal advice, widows are gaining greater respect and mistreatment of widows is now diminishing.
The widows have banded themselves in groups; group members visit and help each other. This cooperation helps them share their challenges. Because of this, even the community including cultural leaders, are beginning to change their perspective on widows. With more sensitization, we believe that widows’ rights will be respected, such as their rights to inherit their husbands land and property, stay and care for their children, lead a normal life and not be ridiculed and treated like third class citizens just because they are widowed.
Jane Opolot, Project Director,
HOPE FOR WIDOWS, PALLISA, UGANDA.
Also Read
Grace's Story
Rosa's Story
Malisa's Story
From WRI Newsletter 6 - Full copies of the Newsletter available from WRI
office