International Widow's Day 2016, 23 June.

 

يوم الأرامل الدولية , 23 يونيو.
International Widow's Day, June 23.
Día Internacional de las Viudas, 23 de junio.
Journée internationale des veuves, 23 juin.
Международный день вдов, 23 июня.
国际丧偶妇女日, 6月23日.

United Nations Secretary- general Ban Ki-moon message on the occasion of the International Widows' Day 2016, June 23th.

There are some 259 million widows around the world, and nearly half are living in poverty. Widows are often stigmatized by their families and communities. Many suffer discrimination based on age and gender. Some have lived lives marked by physical and sexual abuse.

 

Older widows often have few economic assets, after a lifetime of hard but unpaid work. Even in developed countries, the value of women’s pensions can be some 40 per cent lower than men’s. Younger widows face other challenges, as heads of households with childcare responsibilities and very limited economic opportunities.

 

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda with its pledge to leave no one behind has a particular resonance for widows, who are among the most marginalized and isolated. On International Widows’ Day, let us pledge to make widows more visible in our societies, and to support them in living productive, equal and fulfilling lives.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General.

FORUM : International Widow's Day - 23 June.
''Silence calm my soul ''

NEWS :
World's oft-marginalized widows must be part of sustainable development, says Ban. United Nations News Centre
Greater efforts are needed to make sure that Widows are "more visible" in society. UN Radio

The world renowned artist Yoko Ono projects her image on the wall of the UN building to mark International Widows Day 2011.