On June 23, despite the fact that some leaders failed to acknowledge #InternationalWidowsDay , we went all out as we rounded off our #7WidowWeeks . One of our facilitators @yinkadeosun2 responded to questions on widow abuse + how to curb such. #EndWidowAbuse ou-journal.blogspot.com/2020/06/widowh…

Oya! June 23 2020 International Widows Day don waka enter o, join us to demand from Muhammadu Buhari Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Widow Affirmative Action to #ENDWIDOWABUSE by abolishing discrimination, dehumanisation and disinheritance. #7WidowWeeks

Tomorrow is BIG DAY. It is the wrap up day for #7WidowWeeks which began on May 5. Advocacy to #EndWidowAbuse continues till we unmute Government of Nigeria to ACT for WIDOWS. But, the campaign to educate, enlighten and empower widows and non-widows, would have come full circle tomorrow...

The advocacy began in 2015. Our #7WidowWeeks ended on International Widows Day. Vision to #EndWidowAbuse and seek #JusticeforWidows continue till we have Executive Order or Affirmative Action. Journey to get bills, policies, laws signed has become maze that has buried many widows

#7WidowWeeks
In 2024 rather than share plights and problems, let us share praise and purpose. Rather than suffering, let us share success stories. Include any or all #7WidowWeeks #JusticeforWidows #JusticeforOmolola #WelfareforWidows #CelebrateWidows #EndWidowAbuse #PrayforWidows

#7WidowWeeks
Now I am called Hephzibah, God's delight! Jehovah Nissi made joy the flag flown high from the castle of my heart as The King took residence there and healed me to love again. I invite you to join #OmololaOmoteso to call attention to the need to #criminalisewidowabuse

#7WidowWeeks 😇
Here are 7 ways:
1. Post or raise praise for the widowed
2. Share an encouragement
3. Reach out with appreciation
4. Send commendation
5. Do programme or project to celebrate widows
6. Partner with #WalkWithWidowsInitiative to be a blessing
7. Advocate for widows

#7WidowWeeks
I experienced the scourge of widowhood in Nigeria and America. I faced discrimination within and outside the church. I fought adversaries and won. Today, I am standing strong. With the comfort I received, I comfort others. I advocate, counsel and encourage #JoinWWWI

#7WidowWeeks is a concept I began few years ago to call attention to the plight of widows from May 5 - June 23 International Widows Day. I invite you to join Rev. Dr. Omolola Omoteso #WalkWithWidows in the next 7 weeks, to celebrate the strength of those who have tasted widowhood

#7WidowWeeks
In the throes of abuse and valley of death God raised me. Jehovah Jireh provided for me. Yahweh Tsuri strengthed me. He teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. God gave me beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for spirit of heaviness

Our #7WidowWeek s starts on May 5. Send us your original quotes about widows and widowhood and we will be glad to share using our #7WidowWeek template.

We trust that the June 23 IWD will gain as much global support as the March 8 IWD.

Those widowed have been underserved, marginalised, disinherited, dehumanised, defrauded, traumatised and terrorised. The effect of this includes:

1. Widows cannot economically support national development. This affects the society beyond economics. #7WidowWeeks #EndWidowAbuse

As part of our #7WidowWeeks campaign, I have been in search of widows to speak with journalists to share their story of widow abuse. 85% decline. 5% claim theirs is a story of in-law love yet 90% of those who do mention, “...they collected my husband’s ATM card and asked for pin”

Widows have been underserved, marginalised, disinherited, dehumanised, defrauded, traumatised and terrorised. Effect of this includes:

5. Damages to marriage as many end up as concubines, mistresses, wives of married men thereby splitting the resources in the family #7WidowWeeks

Despite the discrimination widows face, they add value to the society in numerous ways:

4. Widows serve as counsellors, mentors, mediators, conflict resolvers. They are able to look back and let others know what works better in marriage and/or other relationships. #7WidowWeeks

Despite the discrimination widows face, they add value to the society in many ways:

1. They are more dedicated as employees, entrepreneurs, politicians or other endeavours because having to wait on husbands, which takes time and energy, is omitted from their chores. #7WidowWeeks

We face a complex conflict between the Biblical and Cultural viewpoints on various aspects of widowhood and must advance conversations from both viewpoints to a place where widows' freedom, dignity and agency is respected.
#wherewidowslead #internationalwidowsday
#7widowweeks

No
Woman
Should be
Denied
Her human rights
Because
Her husband
Is deceased

#wherewidowslead
#widowsrising
#7widowweeks
#internationalwidowsday
#justiceforwidows
#endwidowabuse

We cherish conversations we have with widows, we are always learning.

What is widowhood like?

#wherewidowslead
#7widowweeks
#internationalwidowsday

As we wrap up #7WidowWeeks which began May 5, 2020 with focus on #EndWidowAbuse , I will share effort towards urging government to ACT. We need endorsements, bills, laws, policies and most importantly affirmative action that ends discrimination, dehumanisation and disinheritance.