The Neglected Plight of Widows in Africa: Beyond Legal Policies.

As the African continent continues to grapple with the complexities of social justice, one critical issue still needs to be addressed: the multifaceted struggles of widows. While legal policies have dominated the conversation, a more pressing concern lurks beneath the surface – the economic, healthcare, educational, and housing policies that can make or break a widow's survival.

The stark reality is that legal policies alone cannot alleviate widows' suffering. The African continent has fixated on legal frameworks, oblivious to the harsh truth that meaningful change demands a holistic approach. Though crucial, land rights and property laws are merely the tip of the iceberg. The real challenge lies in empowering widows to reclaim their lives, and that requires a seismic shift in policy priorities.

Consider the heart-wrenching tale of a widow, callously evicted from her home by her husband's family. As she navigates the labyrinthine legal system, she faces an existential crisis: when and how long?

In Nigeria, Ukaeje vs Ukaeje took over 3 decades passing through the 3 tiers of legal process, How widows can go through that?

Is it functioning? What percentage? A discussion for another day.

But today we are going to be talking as the legal battles take it toll;

How will she, the widow survive??

The court battles may eventually secure her rights, but what about the intervening years??

How will she feed her children, access healthcare, or educate them?

What are the socio-economic facilities available for her to leverage?

This is where socio-economic policies come into play. African Governments must provide tangible support, such as:

1. Economic policies an empowerment action that provides financial assistance through access to loans that can help her SME, Vocational Skill & training, and job opportunities
2. Healthcare Policies: access to basic healthcare services for widows and their children. With such social services from the government, widows are empowered to thrive.?
3. Education Policies: loans, grants, scholarships, educational resources, and support for children are key empowerment actions that require government policies.?
4. Housing policies and Initiatives: designing affordable, secure, and safe housing options requires the attention of African governments, estate developers, philanthropists, and NGOs among others.

These policies are not mere suggestions; they are lifelines. By leveraging economic facilities, widows can rebuild their lives. With structured financial services, women in widowhood in their various communities can access loans to set up or upgrade their SME business.?

With such facilities donors, philanthropists, and global monetary fund will have channels to contribute.

Healthcare policies can ensure basic well-being. If a widow can access basic healthcare, her small SME business will continue to grow.

If African Widows have education policies where their kids can have access to education, the children will be empowered to not only break the cycle of poverty but will go back and access their late father's property.

In changing the narrative, the question to guide our actions are:?

What facilities do governments have that are providing socio-economic support to widows??

Are there any economic provisions in place to facilitate widows' financial stability?

The current obsession legal policies (land right and inheritance) though noble has obscured other needs which are part of the main issue. It's time to redirect our focus toward the pressing needs of widows.

We must demand more from our governments than NGOs. We must recognize the inherent worth and dignity of widows, beyond mere legal rights. The time for comprehensive policy reform is now.

My mission at the Union of African Widows is to drive a body of widows with the support and partnerships of women and men to initiate a structure for universal and sustainable empowerment of African widows; an action that's the government's responsibility.?

Join us at the the African widows virtual post summit in Nov., 20th, 11am WAT. For participation and partnership email; [email protected] or call/WhatsApp +2348080251984.

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Written by Hope Nwakwesi