Our History
The Widows Empowerment Initiative For Africa is founded 2020, aim to relief poverty and social stigma. We are guided by a firm belief that our love and empathy can connect us all together despite age, religion, sexual orientation, race or culture. As an NGO and non-profit organisation, The Widows Empowerment Initiative for Africa is open to people of all faiths, social backgrounds and abilities. We promote economic empowerment to help tackle gender inequality facing widows in Africa.
It has been estimated that there are some 285 million widows around the world, with over 115 million of them living in deep poverty. Data on women’s status widows are not visible at every level of gender statistic from national to global, widows are not visible. Yet we know that many elderly widows face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, based on their gender, age, rural location or disability. Others are still young when they lose their husbands, perhaps as a result of conflict or because they were married as children to a much older man. These women face a long lifetime of widowhood.
Our Goals and Values
Widows living in Africa are amongst the most vulnerable people in the community. Many women who have lost a loving partner face risk of malnourishment, exposed to disease and even face isolation. We empower and educate widows who are socially, economically, physically excluded to provide them opportunity to live them and able to integrate into the society. Widows often struggle with serious economic hardship and are more likely to suffer from forms of disadvantage in Africa. For example research shows that the children of widowed mothers have worse health and are less likely to educate their children because of financial hardship.
Along with the shock of losing a spouse, the situation for widows is often compounded by stigma and social isolation. In many countries, widows are stripped off their rights to assets such as land, income and property. Without access to social protection, they face destitution. Providing widows, a secure foothold in Africa is vital to the broader struggle for gender equality. One in ten African women above the age of 16 is widowed. Many more have been widowed some point in their lives. Widowhood often struggles with serious economic hardship. Unfortunately designing effective policies to help eradicate poverty is hamstrung by sparse research and data.
Expansions and Projects
Expansions and Projects
Expansions and Projects
Although our partner offices and operations are based in Manchester, United Kingdom, we are eager to expand our reach and help people from other parts of the world as well. Hand in hand with dedicated leaders of the Nigerian community, we are working to raise awareness in this part of Africa.
Our Community
Expansions and Projects
Expansions and Projects
We want a world that celebrates support, empathy, compassion, diversity and humanity. We find that educating and raising awareness amongst younger generations, along with supporting and taking time to understand the grieving process and the impact of losing a loved one creates a community that will be a kinder and warmer place for us all.