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.

International Widows' Day 2015, June 23rd.

Международный день вдов, 23 июня.

International Widows’ Day, 23 June.

Journée internationale des veuves, 23 juin.

 Día Internacional de las Viudas, 23 de junio.

国际丧偶妇女日, 6月23日.

 يوم الأرامل الدولية، 23 يونيو

United Nations Secretary-General’s Message for the International Widow's Day 2015.

Creating a world with greater equality for generations to come is the defining challenge of our times. This is especially urgent for women, who often experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Their age, income, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors can put women at greater risk of injustice.
Widows are particularly vulnerable. Many are aging and may not have worked outside of the home. The death of their partner can leave them in precarious living conditions, particularly in areas of conflict, natural disaster and humanitarian crisis.
International Widows’ Day is an opportunity to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing.
In societies that view women as whole only when they are married, widows are often disregarded or stigmatized. Without the economic and social protection of their husbands, many widows are treated as financial burdens by their families. They may lose their rights to inheritance and property, or even be forced out of their communities.
These human rights violations stem from the unjust view that women have diminished value. On International Widows’ Day, we reassert the equality of men and women.
The United Nations is working on specific measures that can help widows, and I urge other partners to join these efforts.
We must erase the social stigmatization and economic deprivation that confronts widows; eliminate their high risk of sexual abuse and exploitation; and remove the barriers to resources and economic opportunities that constrain their future. We also must advance widows’ equal rights to inheritance, property, land and other assets.
On International Widows’ Day, let us resolve to end discriminatory attitudes and take action to ensure that widows of all ages enjoy equal human rights, including the right to shape their own future and to participate fully in society. This will be an essential element in realizing our vision of a life of dignity for all.

Ban Ki-moon

FORUM : International Widow's Day - 23 June