Widowhood

Loss of a spouse can bring profound bereavement, solitude and emotional distress with numerous impacts, particularly for female widows. However, research shows that their position and status in developing countries brings further challenges as they are subjected to financial instability as well as problematic religious and cultural stereotypes. In many countries, women widows are subjected to harmful rituals, diversified across communities, which exploit the basic human rights for the grieving wife who is considered unorthodox to society. Some cultures practice widow burning to highlight a woman's loyalty towards her deceased spouse, while others forbid them from remarrying. There is a persistent need to develop sensitivity towards women widows, to better protect their rights and to rid those cultures of gender-based discrimination and harmful practices.