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Three women seated side by side wearing floral dresses and traditional african headwraps

HOW DOES WIDOWHOOD INTERSECT WITH OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION?

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Three women seated side by side wearing floral dresses and traditional african headwraps

More needs to be done to sensitize the public on discrimination against widows and how to seek help.

When a woman’s value is contingent on having a spouse, widowhood can force women out of familial and social structures, leaving them particularly vulnerable to poverty, isolation, and violence. These challenges may be compounded by struggles that widows face on account of other intersecting identities: Black and Indigenous women, women affected by conflict, women with disabilities, women of young and older ages, women living in poverty or rural areas, and other marginalized identities.

Race may be a social construct but it’s one with consequences that may span generations. While both Black and white families can experience upward or downward wealth mobility from one generation to the next, studies show the dramatic socioeconomic disadvantages for Black families have persisted across generations.

The authors find that to be a black widow is literally like jumping from a frying pan into the fire. They quote, “the family prevalence of unemployment—having multiple family members unemployed at the same time—is greater for Blacks widows than whites.” Not only are economic hardships more pervasive among Black widows and socioeconomic resources more common among white families, but the difference in resource availability from relatives is also striking in the event of economic hardship. 

Being a widow with disabilities presents a unique set of challenges. We know that women with disabilities face significantly more difficulties – in both public and private spheres – in attaining access to adequate housing, health, education, vocational training, and employment, and are more likely to be institutionalized, this effect is compounded when one is a widow. As with all women, widows also experience inequality in  hiring, promotion rates and pay for equal work, access to training and retraining, credit, and other productive resources, and rarely participate in economic decision-making

Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women is essential to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. Women and girls with disabilities experience double discrimination, which places them at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation, and widowhood makes this problem multiply a hundredfold. The global literacy rate is as low as one per cent for women with disabilities, according to a UNDP study. The World Bank reports that every minute more than 30 women are seriously injured or disabled during labour and that those 15-50 million women generally go unnoticed.

Gendered ageism is the intersectionality of age, gender bias and widowhood. In the workplace, this is a growing concern for professional women especially those identified as widows.

Society’s emphasis on what is defined as ‘lookism’, which is the importance of a youthful and attractive appearance, puts women and widows under a microscope as they show visible signs of ageing. Because of ‘lookism’, women face ageism earlier than their male counterparts. The bias erodes widows’ and women’s self-esteem and confidence, but the effects of gendered ageism on professional women go beyond the pressure they may feel to look young. This form of bias affects their job security and financial future as they are perceived in the workplace as being less valuable, less competent, and irrelevant as they age

Most women and significant widows in Africa are subjected to various forms of gender-based discrimination and remain marginalized in many spheres, including the enjoyment of economic rights. In spite of their active roles in the economic sector, they own or control less of the land, capital, or other assets and earn the lowest income. Discriminatory laws, cultural and/or religious norms, and traditions that perpetuate their exclusion from access, and control over resources continue to adversely affect their economic status within the family and the society. Across the Continent, constitutions, and laws often enshrine the principle of equality and non-discrimination, and further guarantee a range of economic, social, and cultural rights for women. However, the gendered dimensions of economic inequality remain vigorous. Weak laws as well as lack of enforcement reinforce discrimination against women and perpetuate their inequality in the economic sphere.

FROM THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH TO A SHINING BEACON FOR ALL

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She stands in the scorched remains of what was once her home, her heart heavy with grief and loss. Tears stream down her face as she remembers the laughter and love that once filled these walls, now reduced to ashes in the wake of the ethnic clashes that ravaged her hometown in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. 

Her husband, taken too soon, was one of the many innocent victims caught in the crossfire of the violence that tore apart their community. And now, as a widow with no means to support herself, she is faced with the daily struggles of poverty, the heartache of losing her loved one, and the constant fear of being homeless and exposed to the elements.

The future once seemed so uncertain, with no end in sight to the poverty and heartache she was experiencing. The thought of raising her children on her own, without a husband to provide for them, filled her with fear and desperation. She often found herself wandering the streets of her hometown, searching for any sign of hope and relief.

And yet, even in the face of such overwhelming challenges, she refused to give up. She remembered the words of her husband, who always told her that no matter what life throws their way, they would always find a way to make it through together. Those words now echoed in her mind, giving her the strength to carry on and find a way to provide for her family.

And then, one day, a glimmer of light appeared on the horizon. The Goat Foundation came to her hometown in Machakos County, Kenya, bringing with them a message of hope and support. With the help of the foundation, she was able to start a small goat-rearing business, providing her with a steady source of income and a means to support herself and her children. And as her business grew, so did her sense of pride and independence, a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, there is always a path forward.

The foundation not only provided her with financial support, but also with training and resources to help her grow her business and ensure its success. She was able to purchase more goats and expand her operation, eventually becoming a leader in her community and an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.

Through hard work and determination, the widow has triumphed over the hardships that once seemed insurmountable, and now stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for her community, proof that with support and opportunity, anyone can overcome even the greatest of obstacles. 

She will always carry the memory of her husband in her heart, but now she is able to move forward with confidence, knowing that she has the strength and support to build a better future for herself and her children.

 

 MEASURES GEARED TOWARD ADVANCING WIDOWS’ RIGHTS

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Written by Thomas Kagwa

Social protection programs for widows contribute to economic empowerment.

There has been an uptick of activities aimed at creating the political consensus for the adoption of macro-level economic policy accelerators that support gender-equitable inclusive growth and more and better jobs for widows, through evidence-based policy analysis and advocacy, technical advice, and capacity strengthening.

Across the board, there is widespread adoption of sectoral and industrial policies that tackle occupational and sectoral segregation and enhance widows’ access to decent employment opportunities, through policy advice, capacity development, and technical support.

Another measure involves ensuring that investments in care service provision for widows – in health, long-term care, and education are costed, financed, and implemented through policy advice, capacity development, and technical support.

Given the interconnected nature of challenges facing women, widow advocacy groups will use integrated approaches that have helped women elsewhere while focusing on systemic outcomes to address the root causes of the injustices and discrimination faced by widows.

The areas that advocacy groups target will centre around four pillars:

  • Widow access to economic opportunities and guarantees.
  • Widows’ social integration and access to legal services.
  • Ending cultural, physical, and psychological abuse against widows, and
  • Widows’ peace and security, especially in conflicts and natural disasters.

Despite the Kenyan government’s efforts, the prevailing cultural and social norms remain a central cause for disproportionately disadvantaging widows and creating multiple constraints for them, including limited ownership, access to, and control of long-term assets, resources, and services; labour market exclusion; high levels of illiteracy and numeracy incapability; limited access to income and decision making over expenditures; high fertility rates and high unmet needs for contraception and sexual and reproductive health education; overburdened with unpaid domestic work; and limited access to financial services; among others. 

Social norms continue to play a big role in determining bargaining power within a household. Limited control over resources and assets and their lack of power and autonomy does not only constrain widow’s well-being, but the well-being of their households and the community as a whole

Social protection programs can accelerate widows’ rights by expanding their opportunities for paid work, boosting ownership of productive assets, enhancing control over incomes, increasing social networks, and raising awareness of widows’ rights. 

Such gains do not flow automatically. Widow advocacy groups such as The Goat Foundation’s implementation strategy for widows’ economic sustainability, together with local realities will affect the extent to which these potential gains amongst widows can be realized in practice.

A social-norms lens is a major criterion for the design of any sustainable and gender-responsive social protection program. A social lens is not an optional add-on, but an integral part of social protection policy and programming if it is to achieve long-term sustainable change for widows. 

Social protection programs for widows should set criteria that are geared towards breaking through any negative stigma and cultural norms, including directing benefits to widows in the first place. As such, a careful review of the conditionalities required for empowering widows’ groups as well as strategies for gathering data on the socio-economic conditions of widows, remain important.

Capacity strengthening at all levels, as well as community sensitization and awareness of the role of both men and women in promoting widows’ economic empowerment, are key. This also means social protection programs must budget for regular training, workshops, dialogues, and the like, inclusive to both men and women in order to fulfil this goal. 

Commitment and priority in financing widow-responsive social protections are key and most important. Governments should mobilize and equitably allocate resources to ensure effective implementation and maximum program outcomes in both quality and quantity. 

CAST OUT BY CUSTOM – A WIDOW’S TRIUMPH OVER CUSTOMARY LAW

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A woman peeking through the window of a clay house balancing a basket and headwrap on her head

The Goat Foundation has been at the forefront of highlighting widows’ triumph over adversity and circumstance. It is always hopeful and delightful whenever we encounter a case where communities work together to help one of their own emerge from debilitating conditions. Such a case was that of Mary through whom it was demonstrated that retrogressive customs and traditional laws that discriminate against widows could be overcome.

Mary had been married to her husband for ten years before he was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, she and her family did not have enough money to transport him to a reputable hospital for treatment. John died just a few weeks after his doctor confirmed that his cancer had progressed to stage 4.

Shortly after her husband’s death, Mary’s life quickly became unbearable. Things became difficult. She couldn’t send her children to school or feed them. Everything she and her late husband had spent years building was now under threat of being taken away. In their customary law, women were not allowed to inherit from the estates of their deceased husbands. To enforce that, they harassed her and ordered her to vacate the property where she and her husband had lived for nearly ten years.

She endured the suffering until she learned that a local Kilifi town community-based non-profit organization that looks after the plight of widows could assist her with her case. She showed up there, and the organization assisted her in getting legal representation, which resulted in a favourable ruling that allowed her to stay and raise her children in the home where they had been living with her late husband.

The court’s decision reprieved Mary as it gave her and her kids a place to live and call home. Soon after, the organization organized training on business skills so she could slowly rebuild her life, provide for her family, and send her kids to school.

With her small savings, the training, and the enablement she received from the organization, Mary opened a small shop that sold household items to the community. Using the business skills that she had learnt; she was able to grow the business to the point that it could feed her children and pay for their school fees

Many women, like Mary, experience the same fate following the passing of their husbands. Most of the land is typically owned by men. Most traditional families do not write wills, and in the event of a man’s passing, all land and property are reclaimed by the male relatives, mainly brothers and uncles rather than their wives or children

The help that Mary received from the charity organization, went a long way in reviving the hopes she had of taking care of her family. It ensured that there was no hunger and that her children attained the highest form of education. The training she got to start her business will help her grow and flourish in business and ensure that there is no poverty in her household.

The Goat Foundation remains at the forefront in championing for widows’ rights and looks forward to the day when widows will be regarded as equal family members and therefore achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for social and economic justice for women. We are continually expanding our partnerships and associations throughout Africa and with the help of our partners, we believe we will transform the lives of millions of widows.

ADVANCING WIDOW’S RIGHTS TO LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

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A group of people smiling standing next to a woman holding a goat by its leash

Widows have a right to own property

Over the last decade, Kenya has taken some steps to promote fairness and secure women’s rights within the institution of marriage. The promulgation of the progressive 2010 Constitution and the enactment of the Matrimonial Property Act of 2013 (‘MPA’) have been significant steps in the right direction. The act abolished the unconstitutional marital powers of the husband and placed husbands and wives on equal footing. Men and women who are married in civil marriages in community of property must now consult each other on all important financial transactions, as equal partners. 

Before the Act was passed, the common law concept of “marital power” gave the husband the right to control the joint estate. Even though half of everything belonged to the wife, the husband had the authority to administer the estate on behalf of the couple.

Section 5 gives equal power to spouses married in community of property: to dispose of the assets of the joint estate; to contract debts for which the joint estate is liable; to administer the joint estate.

Section 6 states that “a spouse married in community of property may perform any juristic act with regard to the joint estate without the consent of the other spouse”. 

Provides women married in a community of property equal access to bank loans and ownership of property without the consent of their partner.  

Makes the age of consent for entry into civil marriage 18 years for both sexes, and provides that men and women are equal before the law.

Provides that immovable property, such as a communal house, must be registered in both spouses’ names. The sale of such property has to be approved by both parties. Likewise, the act provides for equal guardianship over minor children of the marriage.

When a marriage in community of property ends, any liabilities are settled out of the joint estate. If the marriage ended in divorce, the remainder of the estate is normally divided equally between the spouses. 

If the marriage ended due to the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse keeps his or her own half-share and the deceased spouse’s half-share is distributed in terms of the law of succession or intestacy.

 

In marriages out of community of property, the assets and debts of the husband and wife remain separate. Ownership of property remains with the person who acquired it. If the marriage ends, each spouse retains his or her own separate belongings.

The Act also makes it clear that both husbands and wives in marriages out of community of property bear responsibility for making contributions to household necessities in proportion to their resources. Both spouses are jointly and severally liable to third parties for all debts incurred by either of them for necessities for the joint household. A spouse who has contributed more than his or her fair share for such necessities has a right of recourse against the other spouse.

Couples who have entered into antenuptial agreements sometimes use a variation of community of property known as the “accrual system”.

In this system, the property owned by the husband and the wife before the marriage remains their separate property, and property acquired during the marriage is administered as separate property. When the marriage comes to an end, husband and wife share equally all of the property and assets that were added to the household during the marriage. There is no sharing of losses, only of profits.

Health- how to help solve access to healthcare for widows

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How can widows access healthcare easily?

Universal access to health services has been touted as one of the contributing factors that led to the population explosion in some parts of Africa. People in regions that had access to the road and electricity network could comfortably visit a dispensary or a maternity ward whenever the need arose.

However, the universality of this access is not uniform. Populations living in marginalized areas of rural Africa face a series of challenges that limit their ability to access basic services such as education, health care, and government services. It could be worse. Widows living in these regions, not only have to contend with being regarded as outcasts, but they also have to fight prejudice and discrimination whenever they attempt to access health services. Woe unto a widow if she should ever fall pregnant.

Widows and women in general need access to reliable health services because of the harsh living conditions they have to endure in order to survive. Not only are they overworked and underpaid, but a poor diet predisposes them to many ailments that otherwise they would have fought off. Sexual violence and other forms of Gender Based violence are also prevalent in these marginal communities.

So, widows are always at risk of contracting the HIV virus, psychological trauma, and incurring bodily harm. In addition, they may face sexual violence from the communities they live within. In other cases, widows prefer over-the-counter medication after self-diagnosing and this may lead to health challenges in the future.

Health services also involve psychological assistance for widows suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a common ailment affecting widows who have been harassed, beaten, and had their property taken away from them. The trauma of these atrocities lives with them afterward and it will take the intervention of a professional counselor to make them recover. Given the scarcity of these professionals, widows may not know what they are suffering from and the PTSD condition may make them think they are “crazy.”

The focus on personal health problems that many widows face in developing nations could be shifted to policymakers. As such, I am going to look at the role of the government in addressing cases such as cervical cancer which is the second most common cancer amongst women under the age of 35 in the world, and the most prevalent cancer in developing countries.

Evidence shows that effective HPV screening programs can promote the early detection of cervical cancers.

The WHO suggests that countries should implement the control of cervical cancer by establishing a national cancer control program, and integrating cervical cancer into primary sexual and reproductive health services.

This obviously is a huge undertaking and the beneficiaries of these services may be women in urban centers. It is therefore important for advocacy groups to keep the government informed about the plight of this forgotten demographic.

Basic interventions at this juncture may include the following;

  • Establishing mobile clinics.
  • Free maternal services.
  • Subsidized treatment programs at government hospitals.
  • Health and hygiene training for widows by healthcare professionals.
  • Preventive interventions such as mosquito nets, emergency contraception, and vaccination.
  • Economic empowerment of widows to help them acquire good nutrition, work in less strenuous circumstances and be able to travel and access health services whenever necessary.

Health challenges for widows are numerous and daunting. But I am convinced that with determination and focus, organizations working with local leaders can find ways to bridge the gap in access to health services for widows.

 

A NEW DAWN IS NEEDED FOR KENYAN WIDOWS

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Kenyan widows deserve a change in policies that will protect them.

As members who are traditionally perceived as being a burden and inauspicious to the family, widows are often relegated to the status of the ‘unwanted insiders.

The ‘triple burden’ that they have to contend with, in the form of the stigma associated with widowhood, severe constraints on access to resources, and sexual vulnerability, makes them one of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in our country.

This is a stark contrast to their male counterparts, who are not subject to similar socio-economic exclusion within households. The problems that confound widows in Kenya are therefore manifestations of the extreme gender disparities that are inherent in Africa where widowhood is persistently viewed as a social stigma.

The Kenyan constitution defines human dignity as a basic right. To be dignified implies having access to food, shelter, and clothing. It also means that one should be in a position to receive medical, legal, and education services.

Widows in Kenya lack more than half of what it defines to be dignified. In addition, they are tortured, beaten, robbed, shunned, and mocked by a society relentless in ostracizing them.

The new government, therefore, has an obligation to uphold the law and abide by the constitution. This means ensuring that widows access the basic amenities and services due to all Kenyans as alluded to in the constitution.

As The Goat Foundation, we have some proposals that we would like to front which we feel if implemented would guarantee widows some sense of dignity.

 

  1. Pass laws guaranteeing the widow’s right to ownership of land and property of their dead husband.
  2. Rigorous enforcement of this law and punishing of lawbreakers.
  3. Community sensitization and education about the rights of widows.
  4. Offer micro-finance solutions to widows so that they can start small businesses and diversify their income.
  5. A welfare program that caters to the education of widows’ families and access to free medical services.

We are aware that there are existing policies and laws protecting women, and legal guidelines against theft, which is what is perpetrated against widows. The present policies need to be broadened to include all age and income groups amongst the widows. Moreover, Widow Empowerment programs should be sensitive to the needs of different sociocultural groups and cater to minority communities.

If our recommendations are adopted, these measures have the capacity to transform the fortunes of every widow in the country. These are measures that should be applied by national and county governments.

Fortunately, we have female legislators at both levels of government. These upstanding ladies should introduce legislation that expands on my recommendations above. In addition, these leaders should be at the forefront of initiating a national conversation on widows’ plight and their rights in order to lift the social stigma against widowhood.

It is our ardent hope that the new leadership will accord extra time to the rights of the weak and innocent.

 

THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WIDOWED HOUSEHOLDS

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Climate change is affecting widowed households

The Goat Foundation has traversed the far reaches of Kenyan communities visiting widows far and wide. These widows have no access to grain storage facilities or bank account savings. Being dependent on the produce generated on land, it follows that these widows depend on a steady and predictable climate to raise their meager crop and livestock holdings.

A saying goes, when it rains it pours, and climate change brings with it severe and unpredictable weather phenomena. If it isn’t flooding, it is a prolonged drought that completely devastates all vegetation. Crops wither and die, and animals lack food, and simply fall down and die. Poor widows end up with no means of earning a livelihood.

Elsewhere in the world, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts threaten lives in these front-line communities, driving people from their homes and jeopardizing food sources and livelihoods. All these effects increase the likelihood of more conflict, hunger, and poverty.

The Goat Foundation collects data on the economic situation of widows around the country and we know that they rely on agriculture and natural resources to survive. For these widows, the effects of climate change — shifting weather, limited water sources, and increased competition for resources — are a real matter of life and death. Climate change has turned their lives into a desperate guessing game.

To earn a living, widows are forced to seek work as casual laborers, work as prostitutes or simply stay home and starve. Their children drop out of school as their mothers can no longer afford to pay school fees. Some of these children are then exploited as child workers, sold off in human trafficking, or into prostitution.

In 2010, the United Nations declared that “climate change is inextricably linked to poverty and hunger.” Seventy-five percent of the world’s poor living in rural areas count on natural resources such as forests, lakes, and oceans for their livelihoods, the organization noted. And climate change is playing havoc with those resources.

Here’s how climate change is impacting the families of widows and their children in Kenya:

  • ‌Prolonged droughts devastate food supplies and dry up water sources.
  • ‌Withered crops and starving animals destroy families’ livelihoods.
  • ‌Torrential rains, floods, and landslides flatten or sweep away their homes.
  • ‌Strife can occur within communities, as widows compete for available arable land.
  • ‌Widows’ families become separated, as their children relocate to search for work.

It is therefore a matter of paramount urgency for us who work in aid relief to advocate for the adoption of strict measures to mitigate the risk in global temperatures.

The lack of financial cushioning against emergencies is another factor that we must consider. If widows can be helped to save some income, they will be in a position to withstand the absence of direct agricultural produce.

Lastly, The Goat Foundation also emphasizes the need for diversifying means of agricultural production by practicing climate-smart agriculture so that if one practice, say crop planting, is devastated by floods, widows can rely on goats for food and as a source of income.

 

A widow looks onto the horizon

Is Africa ready to abandon some of its widow passage rights to uphold the dignity of widows? 

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A widow looks onto the horizon

Drum rolls, upbeat music, and people dancing over lit fires. A description of a typical funeral set up among many communities across Africa. Here, death is ‘celebrated’ as a right of passage. People feast, mourn and send off their loved ones to the ‘spirit world’ safely. The loss of a loved one marks the beginning of doom, especially for widows. During this ceremony, they are comforted by their fellow women and surrounded by much love. But as soon as the funeral ends, a new life that may be marked by extreme hardship begins for these widows.

Cleansing rights like drinking the water that was used to bathe their husband’s corpse begin. Others are required to cut off their hair, go to the stream to bathe, and sleep beside their husband’s dead bodies. Among widowed households in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Uganda- widows are forced to participate in sexual cleansing. This means widows must have unprotected sex with their husband’s brother or other relatives, or with a professional village, cleanser to ‘remove the impurities that have been ascribed to her.

According to MS Magazine, widows in the South Eastern part of Nigeria go through a period of isolated confinement. This ranges from 8 days to 4 months after their husband dies. ‘In this period, the widow is not allowed to leave her room and her hair is completely shaved. She is expected to sit on the floor and wail at the top of her lungs every morning and is not allowed to take a bath or change her clothes till the body of the deceased is buried.’

The prejudices against widows are embedded in the African culture. While there are some positive customs, the negative ones overweight the good in the intention of the positive customs. It is important to note that these cultures contribute to the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS among the widow communities and the belief that widows should be treated inhumanely through generations.

While many may argue that widows can choose to not participate in such customs, these rites and practices intersect with the economic freedom of widows. They control their ability to be accepted and own property rightfully from their husbands. Failure to participate in these activities calls for banishment and dispossession of their property.

The only way widows across rural Africa can unlearn these practices is through economic empowerment. If they are rightfully given opportunities for wealth creation, they can leave these practices behind and stand on their own financially.

FROM THE LENS OF A WIDOW’S SON- STEVEN MATHEKA.

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A widow and her son.

” My mother is 94 years old. She cannot walk much so I have come here to represent her and thank The Goat Foundation for their donation.” Says a bubbly Steven Matheka.

When Kalama was identified as our 5th giveback area, we were excited to meet the widows. In the area, the red soil would occasionally mix with the wind and blow towards the hilly slopes of the region. A closer look at the vegetation indicated how climate change had negatively impacted the area. Farmers had resorted to planting drought-tolerant crops like sorghum, pigeon peas, and millet. Previously, maize and bean plantations could be seen from afar. But farmers had learned to adapt to the harsh weather patterns.

” We are a family of 7. Our father died in 2000 and left my mother the responsibility to care for us. 4 are girls, married now with children and 3 are boys. I stayed home because I could not find a job. Everything has become so hard and my mother requires a lot of attention. She developed high blood pressure and her hearing isn’t as good. Now, I do everything around the household. This requires money; buying her medicine, ensuring her nutrition is on track, and looking after the pair of goats you gave us.”

The direct beneficiaries of widows are their orphaned children. Like Steven, many youths across developing countries are struggling with finding means of survival. The high unemployment rates have made it hard for them to find active sources of income. Uplifting widowed households ensure their beneficiaries too are assured of sustainable sources of income.

What next for this family?

“The goats have not reproduced yet. It has been very dry and their feeds have been hard to come by. But we are hopeful that the next mating season will present kids. They have given life to our small compound. When we hear them bleat, it gives us the energy to own the day. For a long time I had wished to buy cattle for my mother, I wanted to start a business for her so I could be like other children who support their families. But The Goat Foundation heard my prayer and came in just before my mother was bedridden.

I believe I will have built my small house next year from the goats you gave me.