By Gladys Ekwu
A group known as Virtuous Widows International Foundation has clamoured for widows’ inclusion in national policy formulation to draw attention to problems peculiar to widows.
The founder of the group, Lady Ifeyinwa Egbosiuba said this at International Widow’s Day Celebration which took place in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State.
Lady Egbosiuba complained that widows were invisible to the policy makers when they draw out national policies to address the problems of citizens.
According to her, no fewer than 258 millions are ignored by policy makers because they are widows.
“Policies made focus more on common citizens, labourers, the jobless youths and suffering segments of the society and widows are not considered worthy to be discussed in policy making meetings.”
Mrs Egbosiuba, while demanding that the International Widow’s Day be made a state celebration, called for abolishing of traditional rites and practices that violate widowhood.
Addressing women in line with UN topic “Invisible Women, Invisible Problems’’, Wife of the Governor, Dr Ebelechukwu Obiano, who was represented by a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Reorientation, Dr Mitchelle Onugbolu, said the theme was a reminder to stakeholders to act by making the problems of widow visible in communities.
Dr Onugbolu urged widows to be proactive in seeking out people that would lend a helping hand and in resolving their challenges.
She, however, urged women who do not have valid voters’ cards to avail themselves of the online Pre- registration exercise ongoing ahead of the Nov, 6, gubernatorial election in the state.
The International Widows Day is observed every June 23, globally.
