WHR Celebrated 5th International Widows' Day on 23rd June, 2009

2009-06-25

International Widows' Day was first announced by Cherie Blair, then first lady of UK at the House of Lords to highlight the injustices faced by widows across the world and celebrate the strength of single women (widows). It is celebrated every year on 23rd June.

Every year, Women for Human Rights, single women group (WHR) has been organizing events on International Widows' Day, 23rd June, to highlight the issues of single women (widows) and commemorate the day. This year too, WHR organized a program in the heart of Kathmandu at Basantapur, Shiva Parbati Dabali marking the 5th International Widows' Day in order to address the issues of single women (widows) and sensitize the stakeholders and public about the strengths of widows. The slogan for the program was "Single women's rights is our collective concern".   

Sahana Pradhan, former foreign minister and Chitra Lekha Yadav, former speaker of the house, were the chief guests of the program.

During the program, 30 elderly single women of above 60 years of age from 8 different working districts of WHR were honored. The chief guests of the program distributed shawls to the single women. The single women were from Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Dhading, Kailali, Kaski, Lamjung and Ramechhap districts. They have been actively engaged in their respective districts for single women movement.

Also, WHR provided educational support materials to 50 conflict affected children.

In addition, "Citizens Bank International Ltd.", "President Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd.", "Yeti Airlines" and "KUTUMBA" were honored for their support to WHR.

The program was concluded by a musical performance by "KUTUMBA", one of the renowned musical bands of Nepal.

WHR would like to thank all the participants of the celebration for the motivation to carry on the movement of single women (widows) further with much courage and strength.