Alarmed by the age long tradition, a Group of women have kicked against harmful cultural practices which hamper the well-being and dignity of widowed women in Anambra State.
The group, led by the Chairperson of the Agency on Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Anambra, Hope Okoye, demanded that the state government punish those perpetrating acts that violate the rights of widows.
It was learnt that they gathered at the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka, and held placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Allow our widows some peace’, ‘Stop all obnoxious laws and harmful widowhood practices in Anambra’, among others.
Among others, the troubled women demanded an end to rituals that coerce widows to drink from the water with which their spouses were bathed and prepared for burial.
Addressing newsmen, Okoye pointed out the need for government to pay attention to the plight of widows and abolish the practices.
In her words, there is an urgent need for the girl child and women to be protected from abusive cultural norms.
She said “We demand that government ensures justice is served on perpetrators of unpleasant widowhood practices against the girl child, women and widows, irrespective of their social status.
“The practice is widespread as it has been observed that several parts of Anambra still perform the ritual”.
Over the years, there have been calls for the government to make legislation to protect and empower widows in Nigeria, as they are often susceptible to traditional rituals that violate their human rights.
It could be recalled that last year, the House of Representatives moved to amend the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act to prohibit all forms of repressive widowhood practices, provide remedies for victims and penalise offenders.
Reports have it that in April, the Benue State Government initiated a bill to protect widowed women from harmful practices. It is germane to note that Rivers and Bayelsa signed a similar bill into law.
