British Indian peer launches Universal Declaration of Widows Rights in UK

London, Jun 23 (PTI) A British Indian peer marked the 16th edition of the International Widows’ Day on Tuesday with the launch of the Universal Declaration of Widows’ Rights in the House of Lords complex in London.

Lord Raj Loomba led the campaign for the United Nations to recognise June 23, the date his mother was widowed, to be commemorated in support of millions like her around the world who continue to battle injustice and discrimination.

His Loomba Foundation charity, registered in the UK and India, has been undertaking initiatives to empower over 200,000 widows across 12 countries since its inception 28 years ago. “Today, there are an estimated 258 million widows globally and more than 585 million children depend on widowed mothers,” said

Loomba. “No woman should suffer discrimination, disadvantage, or abuse because she has been widowed. We therefore proclaim the Universal Declaration of Widows’ Rights as a common standard for all peoples, communities, institutions and nations,” he said. The declaration, made up of 10 key pillars or “articles”, was adopted at an International Widows’ Rights Summit attended by senior political leaders, international organisations, advocates and delegates from across several African nations to evaluate the economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing widows today.

“Economic empowerment must be at the heart of our discussions (because) for many widows financial independence is the key to unlocking opportunity,” said Lord Sonny Leong, UK’s Business and Trade Minister.

“Access to education, vocational training, financial literacy, employment, entrepreneurship, and capital can lay the foundation for a more secure and prosperous future.

“When the widow acquires skills, she gains confidence. When a widow starts a business, she creates an opportunity. When the widow achieves financial independence, she strengthens not only her own future but also that of the next generation,” he said.

The minister welcomed the declaration as an opportunity to explore practical solutions to deliver “real and lasting change”.

“Too often, a woman who has lost her spouse loses more than a partner. She may lose her home, her livelihood, her inheritance, her place in society, her independence, her security, and her voice. This is wrong,” reads the preamble of the declaration.

Lord Karan Bilimoria, advisory board chair of the Loomba Foundation, highlighted Article 9 entitled ‘Recognition and Protection’ as one of the most important aspects of the document: “Widows are entitled to the equal protection of the law. Governments should ensure that widows’ rights are protected in legislation, policy and practice, and that customary laws and traditions do not override fundamental rights.

“Widows should be recognised in national statistics, censuses, public policy, development programmes and international reporting. What is not counted is too often ignored. Widows must be visible in the evidence on which decisions are made.

“Accurate widowhood data should be collected and utilised to inform policy and action.”  The other articles of the declaration are divided across the categories of: Equality; Dignity and Respect; Freedom from Harm; Home, Property and Inheritance; Economic Independence; Personal Freedom and Family Life; Health and Wellbeing; Voice, Participation and Contribution; and Responsibility.

The UN’s decision in 2010 to formally adopt June 23 as International Widows’ Day was a recognition that millions of widows — particularly in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America — face systemic injustice because their husbands have died. It marks the date Pushpa Wati Loomba, Raj Loomba’s mother, became a widow in 1954 aged just 37 years and with seven children to raise.

The Loomba Foundation, established in her memory, said International Widows’ Day remains as relevant as ever because widows’ rights are human rights. PTI AK GRS GRS GRS