The Hidden Scope of the Global Widowhood Crisis

Widows Cultural Challenges

Despite regional differences, core issues unite widows worldwide. The loss of a spouse brings universal heartache and hardship. Widows everywhere struggle to provide for their families alone. They battle similar forms of societal prejudice, including being seen as ill-omened or cursed. Belittling superstitions persist both in remote villages and modern cities.[3]

Widowhood plunges women into poverty almost everywhere it exists. One study across four states in South Asia found that around 70% of the women are widows[4] with the majority living in poverty.[5] Financial desperation leads many widows to become reliant on their children or turn to begging.[6]

Losing a husband also leaves widows vulnerable to violence, abuse and exploitation across cultures. From war zones to stable democracies, widows can face shocking cruelty from those who see them as easy targets. Thus widowhood becomes both a cause and consequence of gender inequality worldwide.[7]

A Lack of Visibility

Despite its global scope, widowhood remains a largely hidden issue. There is a lack of focus and research on the unique struggles widows face. Their plight is largely invisible in statistics and policy discussions.

For instance, the United Nations’ first in-depth report on widows was not published until 2001. That report noted: “There is no group more affected by the sin of omission than widows. They are painfully absent from the statistics of many developing countries.”[11]

This “sin of omission” persists today. The problems faced by millions of the world’s widows rarely capture major media attention or political action. Widowhood is a silent crisis running beneath the surface of societies worldwide.