The activities of the day are being coordinated by International Justice Mission under the theme,
“Widows matter! Include them. Support them. Defend their rights to land and security.”
The half day Celebration will today take place at Mukono district headquarters and will be attended by district leaders and civil society organizations.
International Justice Mission is an NGO that has been working to protect the widows and orphans in Uganda. The celebration will focus on honoring widows and raising awareness of the unique plight of widows. The event will also recognize government and civil society actors already championing widows.
Around the world, 259 million widowed women are exposed to various forms of abuse and persecution, ranging from property theft and eviction, to social isolation and stigmatization; forced marriage and prostitution, to harmful cultural practices that involve rape and physical violence.
The United Nations designated June 23rd as International Widows Day, a time to acknowledge the unique plight of widowed women, honor their dignity and worth, and join hands to support their protection and empowerment as fully participating members of society.
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