The United Nations (UN)’s International Widows Day is annually observed across the globe on 23rd June to raise awareness about the plight of widows worldwide and advocate for their rights and well-being.
- The day stands as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to address the issues faced by widows and create a more inclusive and equitable world for them.
- The theme of International Widows Day 2024 is ‘Accelerating the achievements of Gender Equality’.
Significance:
i.It serves as a platform to generate public awareness, mobilise resources, and advocate for policy changes and programs that improve the lives of widows since its inception.
ii.It also breaks the traditional stigma that widows are outcastes, rejects the idea that widows bring misfortune and creates the awareness against the stigma that widows are a burden on national wealth.
Background:
i.The International Widows Day was initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005.
ii.In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/65/189 and proclaimed June 23rd as International Widows Day.
iii.The resolution highlighted the vulnerable situation of widows, particularly in developing countries, where they encounter discrimination, poverty, and limited access to resources.
Why June 23rd?
The date June 23rd was chosen in honour of Loomba foundation’s founder, Lord Raj Loomba’ mother Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba, who became a widow on June 23rd 1954.
Key Points:
i.According to the UN, it is estimated that around 258 million widows across the globe and one in 10 lives in extreme poverty.
ii.India has the largest widow population in the world with the estimation of 40 million widows – 10 percent of India’s female population.
iii.The problems faced by widows are as follows: Poverty, Violence, Health, Conflict-related issues, economic insecurities, prejudices and stereotypes.
Events in India 2024:
i.To commemorate the day Crossfields Missions, a Christian ministry in Dimapur launched a new program ‘Widow’s Oil Mission Box (WOMB)’ at Joyce Complex, Chumukedima, Nagaland.
ii.Assam Rifles also organised an event at Lungwiram village, Dimapur (Nagaland) with the aim to raise awareness about challenges faced by widows and advocating their rights and empowerment.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary General – António Guterres
Headquarters – New York, United States of America (USA)
Established in – 1945
About Loomba Foundation:
The Loomba Foundation is a registered charity in the United Kingdom (UK), India and USA.
Founder and Chairman – Lord Raj Loomba
