We ought sensitise global population for the misery of the widows

Although it is not their fault that they lost their husbands, they lose the respect of those around them. Many of them have to live on the streets and suffer of hunger - the only escape would be suicide by having themselves burned alive together with their dead husband. If they do that they will be considered godlike.

We claim  a humiliation of the human rights as long as women lose all their goods and social status because of their husbands pass away. Many of them also become victims of discrimination and abuse. In many western countries widows are more secured by for example a dependent's pension or often have their own income anyway. Normally they would also get peoples sympathy if their husband dies instead of discrimination. Since 2011 International Widows Day is an awareness day for this imbalance and aims to sensitize the global population for the misery of the widows.

In April, last year Tanzania’s Human Rights Watch urged the government to 'immediately' amend provisions of the inheritance law, saying it violates the rights of women.

Under the existing laws, women are often left with nothing when their husbands die and coerced to leave their land, which is against international agreements on women's rights.

In letters to Health minister Ummy Mwalimu, Foreign Affairs minister Augustine Mahiga, minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Harrison Mwakyembe and Attorney General George Masaju, the organisation exhorted the government to comply with the UN Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The committee challenged the government to review the laws and give principle compensation to two women who were forced from their land when their husbands died.

But a year later, the law frame remains the same and the two women are yet to receive compensation, according to Human Rights Watch.

"Tanzania has not adequately complied with the CEDAW committee's decision. We understand that E.S. and S.C. (the two widows) have not received financial compensation or reparations from the courts, parliament or the executive," the international non-governmental organisation states.

It has asked the government to repay the widows and implement reforms that will guarantee equality for both women and men in questions of land and inheritance.

When contacted for comment on the matter, Dr Mahiga acknowledged that women's inheritance rights was an important issue, and promised that the government would amend the legislation around it.

"It is something that needs to be pushed and we have to fast-track it," Dr Mahiga told journalist in Dar es Salaam.  He elaborated: "The government is aware of it and anxious to work on it. It is something that requires an extensive legislation in Parliament."

In the same vein, Tanzania widows association (TAWIA), anon-governmental and non-profit making organisation is dedicated to the men and women who have lost a spouse or significant other, and children who have lost a parent.

Their motto is  to bring hope to the widows and their children.

Also its goal is to assist men, women, and children who are walking the unwelcome path of a devastating loss of a spouse, significant other or parent by providing educational, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial resources needed to move forward.