Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), a not-for-profit organisation, has called for a better treatment, support and equity for widows across the country.

The call was made at this year’s RoSF widows fete and empowerment, held in Lagos as part of event to mark 2024 International Widows Day.

Marking the global event with them, “ Gender Equality and the Culture of Widowhood In Nigeria,” this year’s gathering featured two panel sessions.

The first panel had Olatona Funmilayo Rachael, Christiana Alagwu, Esther Olufiade, while Bukola Adegoke moderated.

Speaking on the theme, Olatona enjoined husbands to write a will or take life assurance for their family members to avert suffering and untold hardship when they die.

Calling men to be aware of this, she noted that taking this would reduce the suffering of widows.

She said: “There should also be laws to protect widows in case of eventualities. More importantly, women should be gainfully engaged in business or paid employment, so, they would not be left stranded at the demise of their husbands.”

Olatona also called for men to adopt a positive lifestyle that would elongate their lifespans.

On her part, Alagwu admonished family members and in-laws to stop interfering in their children’s marriages, saying this has contribute to troubles in many homes.

“Allow them be and stop saying others must experience what you had passed through. Stop telling widows that they killed their spouses and also making life difficult for them,” she added.

Pleading with Nigerians to stop maltreating widows, Olufiade urged government at all levels and financial institutions to give widows soft loans for business startups.

Commending RoSF, Olufiade noted that many widows are suffering across the country and called on well meaning Nigerians to come in and alleviate their challenges.

He disclosed that individuals like Mrs. Alakija cannot provide all they need and urged widows to stop wallowing in self-pity and get up and take control of their lives.

The second session that comprised Pastor Jonathan Eremonsele Odianah and Deputy Director, Office of Administrator-General and Public Trustee, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Abimbola Oshinowo, harped on law and spirituality.

Odianah, who stressed that both man and woman were created equal and have equal command of the earth, said: “None is inferior or superior to the other, both are equally important and each gender has their role to play. As a woman, there is nothing inferior about you and the fact that you are being maltreated does not mean you are malfunctioning.”

He noted that any culture that is oppressive to women has moved away from God’s word and purpose and call for an end to the denouncing of widowhood culture in the country saying the constitutional rights of women as bona fide members of the society must be upheld.

Oshinowo observed that many widows are thrown out of their matrimonial homes at the demise of their husbands, stressing that the state is keen on protecting the inheritance rights of women and girls who are often cheated from inheriting properties.

She urged women to actively defend their rights and also ensure that they are properly married under the law, so that the law can protect them.

She said: “We must encourage will writing among men/fathers, but ensure you are married if not, you will not be legible to inherit anything from your husband.”

Sharing her experience, Ayo Alabi, said the journey of widowhood has helped her find her purpose, adding that her experience was tough and unexpected.

She said: “Widows are underrepresented and the government can offer assistance via tax rebates (for those with businesses) and special grants. Widows already deal with a lot of issues, mentally and financially and any help given will go a long way to help them.”

Country Manager, RoSF, Dr. Ndudi Bowei, who said helping widows is a divine command, was elated to hold programmes that empower, elevate and give widows the confidence they need.

“Marking IWD is important for us and the global theme for this year stresses women empowerment. We have tried to increase awareness among men on the importance of setting up wills as soon as possible to protect their families. If you listened to most of the widows that spoke today, most men died intestate, leaving their families’ situation in the wind. Also, if we have widows that are educated and empowered financially, if it happens, they know what to do,” Bowei said.