As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, a widow in Enugu State was forced to re-mourn her husband six months after his passing, as his kinsmen deemed her initial mourning period insufficient.
The disturbing case which was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Ngozi Eni, highlights the persistence of harmful traditional practices that perpetuate inequality and discrimination against women.
Condemning the act, Eni said “I mentioned an incident at Igbo-Eze North LGA, where a woman was asked to come back to cry after six months of burying her husband because the kinsmen believed that she didn’t cry enough when the husband was buried.
“We got the information, and immediately swung into actio, making sure that all those involved are arrested and charged to court.
“Enugu State is committed to protecting its citizens from harmful practices and promoting a safe and respectful environment for all.
“Also, financial instability, particularly among women, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of harmful traditional practices and gender-based violence.”
In response to this incident, the Enugu State government has taken steps to empower the widow, providing her with a shop and equipment to support her livelihood. This effort aims to give her a voice, ensure her children’s well-being, and prevent further trauma.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration held annually on March 8, recognizing women’s achievements and championing gender equality.
This year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” highlights the urgent need to accelerate progress toward equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls worldwide.
The 2025 theme coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic blueprint adopted by world leaders to achieve gender equality.
However, a new United Nations report reveals that women’s and girls’ rights are under attack, and gender discrimination remains deeply ingrained in economies and societies.
Some alarming statistics from the report include:
- Nearly one-quarter of governments worldwide reported a backlash to women’s rights last year.
- A woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member.
- Cases of conflict-related sexual violence have increased by 50% since 2022.
