Some widows and their children in the Upper East Region are still subjected to dehumanizing acts in the name of widowhood rites despite the efforts of the government in ratifying, formulating and rolling out legislation and policy that promotes and upholds the rights of widows and their children.
International conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment; Article 26 subsection (2) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana and regional Bye-Laws by the House of Chiefs are kept in place to protect the human rights of widows in Ghana.
Despite these accomplishments, some traditions in the Upper East Region still make widows and their children undergo witchcraft tests and purification rites.
Widow’s network in the region in a communiqué to commemorate this year’s International Widows Day Celebration in Bolgatanga expressed concern about the continuous violation of the rights of widows and their children in the name of culture.
Beatrice Saah, read the communiqué on behalf of the widows’ network in the region and called on the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and the Regional Minister to modify or abolish some of the widowhood rites or practices.
“Some traditions in the Upper East Region still make widows and their children undergo witchcraft tests, purification rites and wife inheritance that remain injurious and contravene Article 26 subsection (2) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.”
Article 26 subsection (2) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana states that “All customary practices which dehumanize or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited.”
Read the full communiqué below.
COMMUNIQUE BY WIDOWS IN THE UPPER EAST REGION AGAINST
INJURIOUS WIDOWHOOD RITES
We the widow’s network in the Upper East Region do commend the effort of the
government in ratifying, formulating and rolling out legislation and policy that
promotes and upholds the rights of widows and their children.
International conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment; Article 26 subsection (2) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana and regional Bye-Laws by the House of Chiefs are some of the accomplishment of the state.
In as much as we applaud the state and other stakeholders for their efforts towards ensuring the rights of widows and their children are fulfilled, we cannot overstate the continuous violation of the rights of widows and their children meted out in the name of culture.
Some traditions in the Upper East Region still make widows and their children undergo witchcraft tests, purification rites and wife inheritance that remain injurious and contravenes Article 26 subsection (2) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana which states that “All customary practices which dehumanize or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited.”
1. Widows are coerced into participating in harmful and degrading practices where fowls are slaughtered on the head of the widow with blood oozing on her as a form of purification, leaving most widows traumatized and losing their self-confidence for the rest of their lives.
2. Widows and their children are being compelled to consume concoctions (water used in bathing the dead, burnt leaves that the widows sit on) which leads to some health complications.
3. Orphans are made to eat food that has been left overnight and uncovered at midnight without brushing their teeth and washing of hands.
4. The deceased body (corpse) is placed on the laps of the first child, three (3) and four (4) times for the father and mother respectively leaving most of these children traumatized.
5. Widows are often denied eating the remaining foodstuff after the performance of the final funeral rites rendering widows more vulnerable and destitute.
Based on this, the widows’ network is calling on the Regional House of Chiefs and the Upper East Regional Minister to modify and or abolish the following:
I. Conduct sacrifices using fowls on objects and not on the head of widows.
II. Abolish all rites and practices that involve widows and children consuming unhygienic food and concoctions.
III. Stop placing deceased (corpse) on the laps of first-born children to prevent the transfer of diseases.
IV. Allow widows and children to keep the remaining foodstuff after final funeral rites for their upkeep to minimize hardship.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Osuman Kaapore Tahiru|Ghana
