**INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY; Kogi Governor’s Aide Calls for More Support For Widows*
As the World celebrate the International Widows Day, the Senior Special Assistant to Kogi State Governor on Women and Children Development, Princess Omotayo Adeleye Ishaya was called for more support for widoms across the world.
Princess Adeleye Ishaya made the call in a statement to mark the World Widows Day in Lokoja.
“The loss of a partner is devastating; and especially the struggle of a woman for the basic needs of their family, their human right and dignity which is the more reason why awareness must be stepped up in order to support, protect and empower the widows in our society.”
The International Widows Day is a global awareness day that take place on 23 June of every year. The day was launched by United Nation in 2010 to raise awareness of the violation of human rights that widows suffer. Many have been left in poverty while a good number of them have been denied of their inheritance; eviction from homes and abused following the death of their spouses. Also, the children of widows often find themselves withdrawn from school, and are more vulnerable to abuse especially the girl child.
Today, the ultimate goal of this awareness, is to call for more action to support the widows in the society for a better standard of living, protection of their rights, and empowerment for self reliance that will create a better life for them and/or their children.
In Kogi State, the government has been evidently alive to its responsibility in supporting widows and orphans; among these is the annual celebration of widows day, the Governor Yahaya Bello empowerment to Women in the (3) three senatorial district of the state, support to the orphanage homes and less privilege in the state being supervised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; and the numerous programmes, donations and support given to the widows by First Lady of Kogi State, Her Excellency, Hajia Rashida Bello.
We feel your strive to better the life of your family, and the government will continue to support you.