International Widows Day 2022 – Theme, History, Significance

Who is a widow? What is the plight of a widow? Why celebrating widow’s day? Did you ever ask such questions to yourself? If no, it’s high time to think about international widow’s day and its relevance.

Why International Widow’s Day?

A lady who lost her husband is considered as a widow. It is a global awareness day that is celebrated on 23^rd June annually. The day was observed first in 2010 by United Nations. The day is selected as it is the death day of Raj Loomba’s, the founder of this day, his father Shri Jagiri Lal Loomba died on 23rd June 1954 making Raj’s mother a widow.

This was an attempt to spread awareness among the people about the human rights violation faced by widows across the globe. Following the death of their spouses, the widows are forced to suffer the worst period in their lives. Is it fair? NO.

The traditional society finds widows as ill-fated beings. After the death of their husbands, they are left to suffer poverty and inequality.  They are even denied any land rights or property rights. They are thrown out of their houses, just because they lack a husband. Here is the importance of international widow’s day. The day is celebrated every year to encourage society to treat widows as equal. It is an attempt to reclaim the full rights of widows. International widow day is a brave attempt to make society change the perspectives towards widows. International widow’s day helps to develop policies and programs in favor of widows. There is a need for research and survey to stop the violence and discrimination against widows. Treat them as equals!

The main agenda of international widow’s day is to develop important policies and resources to support and empower widows. It can help widows to get equal treatment in society and to get access to the educational, economic and cultural sector of the society. Observing a day for them can help them to get job, education and health care facilities without any discrimination and facilities a free and peaceful existence for them. It can facilitate a decent life for them and their children too. Equality is the ultimate goal of International Widows Day.

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International Widows Day Theme 2022

Now, are you curious to know about the theme of international widow’s day theme 2022? Let’s explore together! In 2022 the International Widow’s Day focuses on “Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence.”

The UN has recognized the widows as the invisible policymakers as they remain behind the curtain and contributes to the overall development of our country. They are regarded as a group of people who draws the attention of the world to the problems of the citizens. During the policy making meetings, the sufferings of the lower section of society are taken into consideration. Alas! The widows are the left-out categories in the policy-making decision. So, every citizen must give more importance to the marginalized section of society.

They are worthy of being discussed in official meetings. The contributions of widows to society cannot be ignored. Learn to give more importance to solving the problems of the so-called weaker sections of society. The widows are often ignored from the post of policy markers just because of the reason that they are widows. But are we looking down on the strength of such powerful, self-made and independent women folk out there in the name of widows?

Global leadership has disregarded the attitude of society towards widows. If their energy and power are channelized in the right direction, they can achieve bigger dreams for our country. The widows should be liberated from the threats that they are now facing. They should not be afraid of the scarcity of basic needs. Moreover, treat them as equal citizens rather than showing sympathy for their plight.

The 2020 International widow day has highlighted the issues of the ignored community and to join hands to protect them to make the world even more beautiful in all its terms. UN has taken a resolution on international widow’s day in its 65th General Assembly session, The resolution A/RES/65/189 clearly states the designation of International Widows’ Day.

History and Background of International Widow’s Day

Back in 2005 Loomba Foundation was deemed to be the first organization to celebrate the International Widow’s Day for the first time.  Raj Loomba an Indian national, is regarded as the founder of the Loomba Foundation. Raj and his wife Veena Choudhary founded Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba Trust in 1997 in the UK.  Loomba Foundation has officially revealed the story of Raj Loomba which has acted as a motivation to stand for the rights of widows globally.

The Founder of International Widows Day – Raj Loomba

Are you interested in listening to stories? Here is an interesting life slice for you. This is the real-life experience of Raj Loomba, the founder of Widows Day.

Raj Loomba was the fortunate child of a rich father and beautiful mother Pushpa Wati Loomba. The mother of Raj Loomba became unfortunate after the death of her loving husband Shri Jagiri Lal Loomba. He died out of tuberculosis in 1954. Raj is constantly reminded of the struggles of his mother who raised him in the best possible way. It was his mother who made him start a fashion business in the UK. But the unfortunate mother was not even allowed to enter the Mandap or the wedding place of her son Raj.

The priest told everyone that it is unacceptable for society as a widow would bring misfortune to the newly wedded couple. He started to think deeply about the discrimination faced by widows after witnessing his own widowed mother’s humiliating experience. This incident triggered him to celebrate international women day globally to uplift widowed women from the clutches of society. He received much acclaim from both governmental and non-governmental associations working in India and abroad. The government of India played a vital role in helping Raj Loomba to convince international agencies to address the challenges faced by the widows globally. The United Nations has set a target goal of liberating widows from social discrimination and providing support for their growth and development.

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Significance of International Widow’s Day

Here are some of the important points which will help you to understand why international and national widows’ day is important. Take a serious look at it!

• It spreads awareness about the challenge the widows face
• Helps to find ways to help the widows globally.
• The policymakers of the national governments are not acknowledging the hardships of the widows
• The widows are ignored consciously by the policymakers
• This day triggers the policymakers to provide equal opportunities for widows across the globe
• It breaks the traditional stigma that widows are outcastes
• Rejects the idea that widows bring misfortune
• It creates the awareness against the stigma that widows are a waste of society or are a burden on national wealth,
• Also, can help to promote the idea that they too play a productive role in the making of the society,
• The day especially reminds everyone of the fact that the widows have the right to remarry.
• The day is encouraging widows and support them to stand on their own feet.

COVID-19 Pandemic and its Relation to Widows Day

This year as the world is struggling against the covid 19 pandemics, the national and international policymakers have decided to address the issues of the widows who lost their lives in fatal Corona Virus COVID-19. They are considering the plight of women who lost their job in the wake of the corona. The organizations are trying hard to give maximum support and protection to those people who suffer from the pandemic and the widows who remain frozen by the unwelcome situation. Owing to corona, the nations are trying to make beneficial policies especially for a widow who finds it hard to sustain the family. The funds will be allotted both at the national and international level to support those widows who are suffering to meet their daily ends.

Activities for the International Widow’s Day?

Activities on International Widows Day are given below:

• International Widows’ Day is not deemed as a public holiday
• To orient, the people seminars are arranged by NGOs, Government Institutions, and the UNO.
• Help a widow in your neighborhood
• Donate funds for saving widows
• share the known miseries with your friends and followers.
• Encourage widows around you
• Read the stories about widows and urge your loved ones to read and understand their sufferings well
• Donate and volunteer to help the widows for the betterment of the society
• Spread awareness about the importance of the day using the given below hashtags
• Use International Widow’s Day Hashtags

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Estimated Number of Widows

According to a recent survey, the total number of people worldwide is approximately 350 million. Of which 80% of the people are widowed women. One out of every 15 people is getting widowed globally. The rate of the number of widows is varying according to the country. So, it is not possible to calculate the exact number of widows worldwide.

National Widow’s Day 2022

In India, National widows’ day is observed on the 3^rd of May annually. The major goal of this particular day is to highlight the discrimination and hardships faced by the widows in the nations. The nation should cater more to the needs of the widows and protect their lives. They can’t be considered outcasts from society. National widow’s day encourages the people to secure the lives of widows and help them in facing the challenges in society.  There are 258 million widows in the world, so each nation must give special attention to the widows in the country. The national widow’s day celebration is an attempt to promote awareness about the issues faced by the widows and to orient the citizens about the importance of equal treatment.

It’s quite interesting to know that the writer Emma Batha has written an article entitled “Which country has the largest number of widows?” in the year 2015 and was published by the World Economic Forum website. This article surveys the near approximately number of widows in the world and the unequal treatment they are facing to date. When you are considering the nations, India is the nation that has the most pathetic communities which are treating widows as ill omens.

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Quotes for International Widow’s Day 2022

• “No woman should lose her status, livelihood, or property when her husband dies.”
• “Don’t let your reminiscences bury you down; however, create those  Your strength.”
• “May a man live well-enough and long-enough, to leave many joyful widows behind him.”
• “On the occasion of International Widows Day, I’d like to reassure you that you’ve got a strong woman by your side, and you’ve got someone you’ll always be able to count on.”
• “Hey woman, you will feel lost along with his death; however, it’s starting your soul journey.”
• “Stay strong, lady. You can defeat the world alone. So be happy for the rest of your life.”

Inspiring Books for Widows, by Widows!

• From One Widow to Another: Conversations on the New You by Miriam Neff
• The God of All Comfort: Finding Your Way into His Arms by Dee Brestin
• Little Pieces of Light … Darkness & Personal Growth by Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.
• Letter to a Grieving Heart: Comfort & Hope for Those Who Hurt by Billy Sprague
• Finding Norm by Jana Berndt
• Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo, Sonja Burpo, Lynn Vincent, Colton Burpo
• Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
• Not Alone: 11 Inspiring Stories of Courageous Widows from the Bible by Miriam Neff
• In Light of Eternity: Perspectives on Heaven by Randy Alcorn
• Everyday Comfort Meditations for Seasons of Grief by Randy Becton
• You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times by Max Lucado
• Words To Live By by Sarah Kroenke
• Hope Heals by Sarah Kroenke
• Getting to the Other Side of Grief: Overcoming the Loss of a Spouse by Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. DeVries

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Be Empowered!

Being a child of a single mother, I have an optimistic perspective to share on this topic. I have seen the plights and difficulties of my mother who is a widow, but I can confidently say that any widow out there is not going to weep forever! Losing someone close is a matter of grief, but it can also serve as a strong fire igniting to live better. If you are a widow and a mother, the fire heats up even harder, just like I saw as a young girl in my mother’s eyes. Every single mother out there decides to stay stronger and it’s an appreciable factor. I have seen my mother weeping all night just after the early death of my father. Being a 4-year-old girl, I couldn’t realize its depth, but certainly all I could see in her, looking back now, as a 25-year-old lady is POWER! My mother is my source of encouragement and evidence that women are born to be strong, unbeatable and courageous!

Do you have such stories of widowed Heroes in your life? Share it with us!