IWD: UBWFAN Seeks Laws For Protection Of Widows From Obnoxious Practices
The Ultimate Business Women And Farmers Association of Nigeria UBWFAN has called for laws against the unwholesome widowhood practices in Nigeria and Africa.
UBWFAN made the call on the occasion of 2024 International Widow’s Day in Awka on Monday.
The group lamented that the unwholesome practices had negative mental and psychological effects on widows which often led to ultimate death.
Mrs Nkiru Nwagbo, the National President of the Association who spoke to journalists said the fight against unwholesome practices on widows was a collective responsibility.
Nwagbo urged federal and state governments as well as members of legislature to partner with faith based organizations to achieve this aim ;
“There is no doubt that that widows in the African society have suffered oppressive practices did to the erroneous belief that they were instrumental to the death of their husbands”
“Widows in Africa are deprived of their late husband’s property and belongings by relations and are also forced into marriage by relatives of their late husbands which in Igbo society is known as “Nku Chi'”
“About 30 percent of widows in Africa suffer psychologically rated cases of stress , depression and outright madness due the inhumane treatment against them by relatives of late husbands.
“It is against this backdrop that the Ultimate Business Women And Farmers Association of Nigeria wishes to extend its love and recognition to all widows both in the Association and the society in general”
“We call on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the respective state governors across the country, faith based organisations as well as the traditional institutions to intensity the campaign against those unwholesome practices targeted against the widows in our society.
“This Association urges the respective States and National Assemblies to put measures to fight those unwholesome practices against the widows.
“The association commends
the wife of Anambra State Governor Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo for her sustained efforts in keeping the hope of Anambra women alive including those of the widows..
“The association is calling for a National and State Widowhood Agency charged with the responsibility of addressing those grey areas that have to do with the fate of widows in the Nigerian and African society” she said.
