The Upper East Region commemorated International Widows Day on June 23, 2025, with a strong call to abolish harmful widowhood practices and promote dignity, inclusion, and social protection for widows and orphans.
The event, held under the theme “Shining Light on the Hidden Struggles of Invisible Women for Inclusive Development,” brought into sharp focus the cultural practices that continue to marginalize and dehumanize women after the loss of their spouses.
Spearheaded by the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM), the event featured powerful testimonies, advocacy speeches, and the premiere of an emotionally charged animated film.
The short film vividly illustrated oppressive practices widows endure in parts of the BONABOTO zone, including forced head shaving, public nudity as a sign of mourning, and restrictions on basic hygiene such as brushing teeth or washing the face during mourning periods.
The commemoration attracted participation from traditional and religious leaders—chiefs, queen mothers, tindaanas, assembly members, and other community leaders—signaling a crucial step toward community dialogue and the potential abandonment of these inhumane customs.
Madam Fati Abigail Abdulai, Executive Director of WOM, emphasized the significance of the event in a media interview with Bolga FM. “Today is International Widows and Orphans Day, and we want to use the occasion to outline the challenges these vulnerable groups face, share ideas, and find lasting solutions,” she said.
She continued, “I want to appeal to our chiefs, opinion leaders, tindaanas, queen mothers, and stakeholders to help us break these barriers that have kept widows and orphans in pain for far too long.”
Testimonies shared by affected individuals underscored the emotional and physical trauma linked to these rituals. Daniel, an orphan, recounted his harrowing experience: “They woke me up in the middle of the night, forced me to eat cold TZ without brushing my teeth or washing my face. It left me feeling broken and dehumanized.”
Nancy, a young widow, narrated: “I refused to go through some of the rituals like shaving my head or eating with unwashed hands. I was beaten by my grandmother for saying no.”
The animated film, launched as part of WOM’s public education campaign, aims to foster greater awareness and stimulate conversation around the often-silenced experiences of widows. The film forms part of a broader effort to empower communities to rethink entrenched cultural practices and embrace human dignity.
Organizers of the event expressed hope that the presence of traditional and religious leaders would catalyze real change through policy reforms, community by-laws, and ongoing public engagement. WOM reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations, while calling on government institutions and civil society to amplify efforts in addressing gender-based cultural oppression.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joseph Napoleon Anaaya|Bolgatanga
