SANWED
South Asian Network for Widows’ Empowerment in Development (Pillar III)
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of widows in South Asia, Africa and the middle East over the last decade. This unprecedented rise in numbers has been caused by the proliferation of armed conflict, ethnic cleansing, the scourge of AIDS and the persistence in some regions of harmful traditional practices. In conflict affected countries, it is estimated that half of all women may be widows. (Margaret Owen, Director of WPD, UK).
Many women in South Asia are destined to spend the rest of their lives in poverty and vulnerable to abuse after they become widow. They are of all ages, and are to be found among the poorest of the poor, often invisible, their voices unheard and their needs, both immediate and long term unmet, unless governments demonstrate a commitment to right the wrongs inflicted on them. Many obstacles exist to their accessing the justice system.
That is why SANWED is formed in 2003 in the South Asian region to uphold widows’ human rights in all aspects of their lives; reduce poverty and marginalization and eliminate all forms of socio cultural, religious, legal, political and economic discrimination.
Vision
The vision of SANWED is a world in which all widows enjoy their full human rights and live with dignity.
Mission
To enable widows to become collective AGENTS OF CHANGE in the South Asian region by bringing together the National Chapters of SANWED under one umbrella.
Goal
The goal of SANWED is to establish a national association of widows’ group in each country with branches or member associations in every city, town, village, refugee or IDP camp so that widows know and can obtain their rights, can access training and employment, and participate in decision-making at every level.
Widows’ Charter
The Widows’ Charter was declared and passed in the “International Conference in Capacity Building of single women (widows)” held on 12th to 14th May 2005 in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was drafted by Margaret Owen, Director of Widows for Peace through Democracy (WPD) and focal person of SANWED in coordination with SANWED member countries.
SANWED Secretariat
WHR has been unanimously elected the SANWED secretariat and Founder of WHR, Lily Thapa is unanimously nominated as General Secretary of SANWED.
Colombo Declaration
The Colombo Declaration during the 15th SAARC Summit 2008 addressed the issues of widows for the first time in article 32 of declaration.