Today is the launch of the first ever UN International Widows’ Day, aimed at
highlighting the plight of women all over the world who have lost their
husbands. The UN says an estimated 115 million of the world’s
245 million widows face poverty and discrimination, with many deprived
of their inheritance, land and even their children.

 The UN Resolution, passed in February of this year, states the following:

Emphasizing that the economic empowerment of women, including widows, is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty,

Recognizing that all aspects of the lives of widowed women and their children are, in many parts of the world, negatively affected by various economic, social and

cultural factors, including lack of access to inheritance, land tenure, employment and/or livelihood, social safety nets, health care and education,

Recognizing also the link existing between the situation of widows and that of
their children,

Deeply concerned that millions of widows’ children face hunger, malnutrition, child labour, difficult access to health care, water and sanitation, loss of schooling, illiteracy and human trafficking,

Reaffirming that women, including widowed women, should be an integral part of the society in the State where they reside, and recalling the importance of positive steps on the part of Member States to that end,

Emphasizing the need to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children, including those living in rural areas,

1. Decides, with effect from 2011, to observe International Widows’ Day on 23 June each year;

2. Calls upon Member States, the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, within their respective mandates, to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children;

3. Invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, to observe International Widows’ Day and to raise awareness of the situation of widows and their children around the world;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to take the measures necessary, within existing resources, for the observance by the United Nations of International Widows’ Day.

Watch this space for a news report from an event held to mark International Widows’  Day in London.To watch a BBC film about International Widows’ Day from the UN in New York, click here.