United Nations has declared 23rd June as world Widows’ Day. It occurred to me why has this idea come to the organizers. It is a fact that in almost all the countries, women lead such a life which cannot be counted appropriate. Widows are the women who lose their identity after the death of their husbands. They are deprived of all the luxuries of life treating them as inauspicious. They are forced to detach themselves from their kith and kin.
The kind of life, they lead is worst than death. The very thought of it is horrible. Today the attention of all the people in the world will be concentrated on widows. N.G.O’s and other organizations engaged in welfare activities will highlight the status of widows which will not only help in getting empowerment for women but it will also help get them their rights.
Our country is marching towards progress with a faster speed. Many important changes are taking place in the era of Science & technology but it is regrettable that we are avoiding to realize this fact. It is a truth that women who are categorized as widows have no place in society.
Superstitions and outdated rites and rituals have snatched from these widows their right to live. These are the same women who were once honoured as daughters, sisters, mothers and wives and they received of love and they recalled all sorts of love and affection at one time but after the death of their husbands, they are not only thrown out of their houses but they are sometimes sent out of towns. On the occasions of marriage and other delightful functions their emotions are hurt treating their presence as inauspicious.
A widow is made to realize as if she is responsible for all these evil happenings. She bears the burden of uncommitted sins. I still remember the day when I had been to Chennai when the newly wed girl was brought home. Her own widow sister was sent out on some pretext as her presence was felt inauspicious. In South India, there is a tradition of decorating hair of the young girls and married women with flowers.
But the widows are deprived of this privilege. I often think, are the widows responsible for the deaths of their husbands? Did they bury all their desires along with their husbands? When we are taught that we have to head our life according to the will of Allah, the Almighty, why don’t then we neglect to act upon it? Why do we treat widows like this? Ten percent of women’s population in India which is about 40 million, are widows.
It is our duty to give them their legitimate right to lead a comfortable and peaceful life. There was a time when in Hindu households, the head of the widow used to be shaved. Her existence used to be considered inauspicious and they used to be kept away on the happy occasions. They were given distasteful food which was just sufficient to sustain them.
They were not fed Non-vegetarian food comprising meat and eggs presuming that it would arouse sexual sentiments in widows. In North India, if the husband had some property, the widow was forced to marry her younger brother-in-law, so that there is no division of property.
Even today in our country younger girls are married to elderly men. These girls are neither educated nor skilled in any profession. After the death of their aged husbands, they become a liability to their kith and kin.
They are sexually harassed. They are forced to take shelter in Ashrams where they have to recite Sanskrit ashloks for two hours and then they are fetched one bowl of rice and Rs. 10/- everyday.
It is taken for granted that it is enough for a widow to eat only one time daily. Many widows become beggars. On seeing the condition of Brindavan and Varanasi Ashrams, one realizes why widows prefer to die along with their husbands.
The worst condition is of those women who are HIV patients. Nobody takes care of them. They die in a very pathetic condition. Such of the widows who have children face still worst situations. It is very difficult for such women to take care of their children. Where will they go?
It is time that we empower widows and fulfill our responsibilities. We should change our behavior and mindset we, the women have tremendous strength.
We and only we can bring about reform in society. Empower these destitute women with by providing them financial assistance. Tell them that they are not alone but we are also with them. Welcome them on the occasions of marriage and other ceremonies. Remember! these are the entities on there lips lie many prayers and blessings and they are the ones who embrace all the evil forces which may cause any harm to you.