Anani Reaffirms Commitment to Widows’ Empowerment, Condemns Harmful Cultural Practice

By Adesuwa Ehimuan

The Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has reaffirmed her Office’s unwavering commitment to supporting widows and speaking against harmful cultural practices that undermine their dignity. She made this known during an engagement with the Edo State Widows’ Dignity Advocate Network at the Government House in Benin City.

Mrs. Anani emphasized the importance of collective action in promoting economic independence and social justice for widows and other vulnerable groups. She urged stakeholders to collaborate in dismantling systemic barriers that make widowhood more difficult. According to her, while no one prays for widowhood, those who find themselves in the situation must be encouraged to rise, face life with courage, and move forward. She noted that although people often advise widows to “make lemonade out of life’s lemons,” the process is challenging, especially without a strong support system.

She highlighted the emotional, social, and cultural burdens widows endure, including stigmatization, wrongful accusations, and unhealthy demands from family members. Mrs. Anani condemned the harmful traditional practices still imposed on some widows, insisting that such rituals are unnecessary and should be abolished. She stressed that widows should not be punished for circumstances beyond their control.

Speaking on the needs of widows, Mrs. Anani identified educational support for their children, economic empowerment, and access to healthcare as top priorities. She announced her Office’s intention to partner with the Edo State Health Insurance Commission to enroll widows into the State Health Insurance Scheme, noting that empowerment is a gradual but achievable process. She also pledged to present widows’ welfare issues to the Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, referencing previous successes in similar advocacy efforts.

Mrs. Anani encouraged widows to avoid idleness by engaging in meaningful activities that strengthen their economic and emotional well-being. She also urged financially stable widows to support those struggling and advised younger widows not to fear remarriage if they so desire, adding that companionship in old age provides emotional comfort beyond physical intimacy. She prayed for God’s blessing upon them, assuring that their “ashes will be turned to beauty,” and that the Lord remains a husband to widows and a father to their children.

In her remarks, the Leader of the Group and Senior Special Adviser to the Governor/Chief Protocol Officer to the Office of the First Lady, Pastor (Mrs.) Mabel Obetoh, expressed deep gratitude to Mrs. Anani for her compassion and consistent support to widows, women, and vulnerable groups across the State. She advocated for a more coordinated, sustainable system to address the pressing emotional, social, and economic challenges widows face, noting that many widows continue to struggle despite existing interventions.

Mrs. Obetoh outlined four critical areas of need: economic empowerment through grants and business support; shelter and social protection through anti-eviction measures; educational assistance for widows’ children; and accessible, affordable healthcare. She proposed the establishment of a Widow Welfare Board that would register widows, tailor support to their needs, and monitor cases of abuse. She reaffirmed the organization’s readiness to collaborate with the Office of the First Lady to achieve these objectives.

The engagement concluded with the presentation of a copy of the Holy Bible to Mrs. Anani, who received the gift with gratitude.