By MARIE-THERESE NANLONG
As the world marks International Widows’ Day on June 23, widows in Plateau State have continued to grapple with painful realities that often follow the loss of a spouse, including denial of inheritance rights and forced separation from their children.
The annual observance, established by the United Nations, shines a spotlight on the poverty, social isolation and human rights violations experienced by millions of widows globally.
The Loomba Foundation indicates that there are an estimated 258 million widows worldwide, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty. This fact shows that widows the world over have historically been left unseen, unsupported in society.
This year’s theme, ‘Invisible Women, Invisible Problems’, draws attention to the discrimination, economic hardship and social challenges many widows face.
In Plateau State, where insecurity especially in the hinterlands has left many women widowed, displaced, forced into migration, and left to bear the responsibility of caring for children alone, there is an urgent need for more to be done to empower them to carry out the tasks.
Rising cases of rights violations
Recent figures from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reveal that abuses against widows remain a pressing concern.
According to the NHRC, 14 complaints involving violations of widows’ rights were registered between January and June 2026.
The complaints, the Commission said, centred on denial of rights to property, forced separation from children and accusations of witchcraft.
“We’ve had 14 registered complaints on the abuse of the rights of widows from January 2026 till date. The complaints cover areas of denial of rights to property, forced separation from children and accusations of witchcraft,” the Commission’s Luri Yawa stated.
The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has also recorded cases involving widows. Nene Dung, Director of Media at the Commission, disclosed that 10 widows approached the agency with complaints relating to trafficking and inheritance rights.
“The matters are still under investigation. Two of the trafficking cases have been resolved and the survivors reunited with their families. We got eight cases bordering on land and inheritance,” she said.
The cases highlight the vulnerability of widows to exploitation and the challenges many encounter in securing their rights, some not knowing who to turn to.
Calls for legal protection, empowerment
However, the Registrar of the Plateau State Multi-Door Courthouse (PMDC), James Kigun, urged affected women to seek legal redress rather than suffer in silence.
He encouraged widows facing disinheritance or other forms of abuse to take advantage of the courthouse’s alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as, according to him, the process is affordable and accessible, making it easier for vulnerable persons to pursue justice.
At a recent event, 102 widows were economically empowered through tailoring, ICT, agro-processing and crafts at the Mangu Widowhood Centre where the wife of Governor Mutfwang, Helen Mutfwang, made a commitment to welfare, safety and economic advancement of widows.
Sylvia Ayetan says stronger enforcement of laws, increased awareness and greater support systems are needed to protect widows from discrimination and ensure they enjoy their fundamental rights and dignity.