Widows sharing their personal experiences on widowhood in Kenya

On 21 August 2008, 87 people, including 69 widows gathered in a Widows Navigating Power Sensitization Workshop

in Mwala District-Eastern Province – Kenya. From the experiences shared, it was evident that:

• Widows are stigmatized in society
• Widows do not have access to basic services including food, clothing and shelter
• Widows stigmatize themselves through self stigma and hence are unable to collectively demand their rights
• Famine affects women and can lead to involvement in activities such as prostitution
• Widows also suffer some degree of stigma in churches
• Married women view widows as husband snatchers
• There is lack of legal rights among widows hence are unaware of marriage laws
• Widows living with HIV suffer double tragedy
• There are no community safety nets to support widows and orphans

Please see full report here

This information was added by Leonida Odongo of Ebony Youth and Orphans Support Initiative Kenya (Email:Eyosik2004@yahoo.com).  Leonida is going to add shortly what strategies they are developing in Kenya to strengthen widow's rights in practice.

Please share your stories, issues and experiences with working with widows and supporting them in their struggles to realise their fundamental human rights!

PLEASE DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS LINE

Return to the FrontPage