International Widows’ Day was initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005. The plight of widows world-wide has been the foundation’s focus since it was established in 1997. According to its founder, Raj Loomba, women in many countries experience great hardship after their husbands die. “They are not looked after by governments or NGOs and they are shunned by society.”
The observance falls on June 23 because Loomba’s mother became a widow on that date in 1954.
International Widows’ Day was introduced to address poverty and injustice faced by widows and their children in many countries. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2010 and is observed anually on June 23.
Picture Source: Fiji Times
The situation of widows in many countries is desolate
The first officially recognized International Widows’ Day on June 23, 2011 was marked with a conference held in the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Thinking of all our mothers who have lost their husbands on this day so from the Mixfm team, Happy International Widows’ Day to you!
