The Guardian (Nigeria)

Group engages stakeholde­rs on widows' rights, needs

- By Michael Akinadewo

TO address the plight of widows and promote their rights, the Rose of Sharon Foundation ( ROSF) has engaged stakeholde­rs on widowhood rights across various communitie­s in Lagos State.

In one of the outreaches at Kosofe Local Council, Country Manager of ROSF, Dr Ndudi Bowei, underscore­d the significan­ce of involving community stakeholde­rs in understand­ing and championin­g the rights of widows.

“It is a meeting where we engage community stakeholde­rs on widowhood rights. We go from community to community to achieve this,” she said.

Speaking on some of the unwholsome ways widows are treated in Nigeria, she said they are often treated almost like sub humans.

Dr Bowei reiterated the foundation’s commitment to continue advocating widows' rights and urged policymake­rs, stakeholde­rs and the government, to incorporat­e widowhood rights into policies for better protection and support.

One of the speakers at the event, Ijeoma Olatunbosu­n, stressed the significan­ce of widows understand­ing their rights and the laws that protect them.

“The rights of every widow must be protected and respected in our society,” she said.

She urged widows to speak up against harassment and discrimina­tion, reassuring them of the foundation's support.

While encouragin­g stakeholde­rs to collaborat­e with the foundation, she begged them to advocate for widows by creating awareness campaigns and also engage the media to constantly preach the rights of widows.

Olatunbosu­n further urged collective action to end discrimina­tion against widows and to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

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