INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY

INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY

International Widows Day, the day intends to recognize widows and their situations across the world. Widows are women whose husbands have died.

Women who have lost their husbands due to illness or war face a number of challenges, and not all of them have their family to support them.

Losing a loved one is difficult and painful, and this day aims to make sure that widows are provided with the support they needed to go through an extremely difficult time, and make certain that widows maintain full rights and recognition in their country.

WHEN IS INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY

Saturday, 23 June

INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY HISTORY

International Widows' Day was launched by the Loomba Foundation in 2005. Since the foundation was established in 1997, its main focus has been on the difficulties of widows world-wide. According to its founder, Raj Loomba, women in many countries experience great hardship after their husbands die. “They are not looked after by governments or NGOs and they are shunned by society.”

The International Widows Day falls on June 23 because Loomba's mother became a widow on that date in 1954.

WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ON INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY

1.     Do charities or sponsor a widow or her children

2.     Donate or volunteer for Widows and Orphans International

3.     Use social media to spread awareness

4.     Visit an old age or retirement home