International Widows’ Day is June 23rd, a day to bring light to the struggles women face after losing a partner.
As widows, they enter a long-term fight for basic rights and dignity, hindering their ability to provide for themselves and their families. There are more than 258 million widows worldwide. Despite the large number, they face societal pressures of being unsupported, unseen and unappreciated.
Widows only face more difficulty as they are often denied inheritance rights, have their property taken from them after the death of their partner, and face discrimination and stigma. Women are also much less likely to have old age pensions and may not be able to access bank accounts to pay for healthcare. These issues often cause widows to fall into poverty.
Imtimongla is a single mother who is raising her two children alone, in a rented house in an underprivileged and neglected part of Mokochung, Nagaland. She runs a small clothing shop but has struggled to earn enough steady income to pay her rent, bills and schooling fees for her children. She often felt stressed and exhausted from her business and the demands of parenting on her own.
Through CBM’s Widows Emancipation Project, she was given the resources and training to expand her shop and stabilize her sales. Imtimongla was able to employ a part-time worker, which gave her the chance to spend more time with her children. She voiced her appreciation for the project and the benefits it has given her, saying,
“This financial help has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, giving me the chance to finally focus on my shop and my kids’ future”.
Imtimongla’s hope for the future is to continue growing her business and achieve greater financial stability, enabling her to better support her family while also contributing to the local economy. She shares:
“A very big thank you to CBM and the Churches in Canada for all your invaluable support in guiding me and empowering our community.”
In many parts of the world, women are excluded and face stigma and discrimination after becoming widows. CBM’s Widow’s Emancipation Project works with the local church in communities in India to provide women with the opportunity and resources to start or expand their own businesses. With support and training from the local church, widows can gain financial freedom and start to be seen as valuable members who meaningfully contribute to their communities.
Justice means ensuring no woman is held back by stigma or circumstance. It means creating opportunities for every person to thrive. Praise God for the way the local church in India is advocating for justice and supporting marginalized women with small business support! You can donate towards CBM’s justice initiatives here.
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