The Abia State Government on Wednesday marked the 2025 edition of International Widows Day with a powerful gathering at the JACC Building, Umuahia, aimed at supporting and empowering widows across the state.
Organized by the Office of the Wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, the event was themed “Beyond Grief: Rebuilding Lives, Strengthening Communities and Challenging Stigma.” It brought together widows, policymakers, legal experts, medical professionals, and advocates to highlight the plights of widows and unveil impactful support initiatives.
Although International Widows Day is globally observed on June 23, this year’s event was held earlier to ensure timely support and engagement.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Ngozi Felix, welcomed attendees and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to improving the lives of widows through structured policies and direct interventions.
“Widows often face immense difficulties—from economic hardship and social exclusion to abuse and injustice,” she noted. “This year’s theme challenges us all to go beyond grief and provide the tools for healing, self-reliance, and dignity.”
She outlined key initiatives launched by the government, including:
✅ Free legal education sessions on inheritance rights and reporting of gender-based violence
✅ Medical outreach programmes offering free checkups and essential medications
✅ Financial assistance to indigent widows
✅ The upcoming launch of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at Aba General Hospital
✅ Implementation of the Abia State Social Protection Policy in collaboration with the EU, UNICEF, and ILO
Representing the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, the Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs. Adaeze Chidera Emetu, commended the resilience of widows and reiterated the state’s support in abolishing harmful widowhood practices.
“This day is not just a remembrance of pain, but a celebration of strength. We are determined to ensure no widow in Abia State is left behind,” she declared, referencing the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act as a framework for legal protection.
Keynote speaker, Mrs. Patience Ngozi Udonsi, encouraged widows to embrace a new chapter in life with courage and optimism.
“Grief is real, but so is hope,” she said. “Your journey doesn’t end here—it evolves into a new story of strength.”
Other speakers such as Osinachi Favour and FIDA’s Barr. Oby Chris Abgai called for stronger legal protections for widows and emphasized the importance of community solidarity.
In her remarks, Mrs. Elizabeth Udo Kalu, coordinator of Abia Arise, praised the compassionate leadership of Governor Alex Otti and assured widows of continuous support from women across the state.
The event concluded with moving testimonies from widows who expressed gratitude for the state government’s intervention. Each widow present received a cash gift as part of the empowerment package, drawing applause and emotional reactions from the audience.
The 2025 International Widows Day celebration in Abia reinforced the government’s message of compassion, inclusion, and sustained action toward rebuilding lives and communities.
