The Oko Opo Widows Foundation has called on the Federal Government and state governments across Nigeria to establish a dedicated agency or special unit to address the growing socio-economic challenges facing widows and their dependent children.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by the promoter of the foundation, Ambassador Babatunde Adeyemo, as part of activities marking this year’s International Widows Day.
Adeyemo said the establishment of a government-backed platform specifically focused on widows would help provide coordinated interventions and long-term support for millions of women who have lost their spouses and are often left to shoulder the burden of caring for their children without adequate assistance.
According to him, governments at the federal, state and local levels should create a special body dedicated to addressing the needs of widows through programmes centred on economic empowerment, access to healthcare, education for dependent children, legal protection and social welfare.
He noted that many widows continue to suffer discrimination, poverty and neglect despite their contributions to society.
Adeyemo explained that the appeal became necessary against the backdrop of the annual observance of International Widows Day on June 23, a United Nations-recognised event established to draw global attention to the poverty, discrimination and injustice experienced by widows and their dependents.
He stressed that deliberate policies were required to improve their quality of life and restore their dignity.
The foundation urged governments, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in creating lasting structures that would protect widows and guarantee a brighter future for their dependent children.
Create special agency to cater for widows, dependent children – Foundation tells govt