OpenLife Nigeria reports that Virtuous Widows is providing succour for devastated widows. In this interview with OpenLife’s Isaac Ngumah, the founder of the NGO, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba, bares presents her testimonial
Give us an insight into you bio data?
My name is Mrs. Ifeyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba, from Orbba, Udenu local government area, Enugu State, married to late Mr. Silvanus Egbosiuba, from Neni town, Anaocha local government area, Anambra State. I’m a full Nigerian.
Tell us about Virtuous Widows Association?
Virtuous Widows International Foundation/Association is a divine mandate from God to me. This vision came some 8 years ago after the death of my husband. The Lord asked me to go search for my ‘sisters ‘. At first I didn’t understand, because I know where all my biological sisters were and asking me to go look for them was kind of confusing. But eventually as I kept praying, he made the vision clearer to me, I began to see that I needed to bring my fellow widows together. This is how the Virtuous Widows association started and eventually we have the Foundation. Our activities
What are your benefits in running this organization?
Benefits? I get fulfillment not “benefit” as you put it. Fulfillment in seeing my fellow widows getting respites as a result of our activities. This is a Call by God. So I am fulfilled.
What’s your passion drive?
Generally, we have our vision and objectives which is
• To advocate for windows’ Right;
• To improve the living standard of widows and their children through social and economic empowerment (skills acquisition, empowerment)
• To engage in behavior change and communication efforts that will help reduce any form of discrimination against widows and their children.
• To build institutional capacity of widows and their children.
• To provide education and support to widows and their children.
• To provide education and support to widows and their children through community based cluster groups.;
Our Goals are to:
• Promote Widows rights through Advocacy that seeks to abolish all forms of discrimination against widowhood.
• Empower Widows and their children by strengthening their socioeconomic status and provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to live a sustainable and healthy life.
Give a highlight of key events you have hosted?
We have hosted a lot of events and programs in line with our set goals. Our flagship event is the annual INT’L WIDOWS DAY CELEBRATION, on the 23rd of June of every year. This is a Day set aside by the UN to celebrate the widows all over the World. We also organize Workshops/Seminars for training of indigent widows and youths in different crafts for their sustainance. We also support the children and youths in sponsoring their Education. Most of the children have been given scholarships to study within Nigeria and abroad. Recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down, we assisted most widows in different communities with sets of food items ranging from rice, yams and other household items as Palliatives.
Do you have yearly programs?
Yes, we do organize Workshop/Seminar training, this is apart from our Int’L Widows Day. We are also engaged in faith-based events where we teach the widows Success Tips.
Do you partner with government to run your programmes?
Sometimes we do invite government agencies and officials during our events. We also get assistance from government agencies sometimes as we are duly registered, hence recognised. But government needs to do more.
How do you get support?
We basically get occasional support from patrons, well-meaning individuals, but mostly I manage to fund our activities. We actually need more support from government, Int’L organizations and philanthropists around. This is because we have a great plans to build a Widows Home Center in each of the states. This will comprise of living quarters, Schools, Event Halls and skills Acquisition Center.
Which area do you need government’s assistance?
Honestly, the government has been generally supporting widows at different levels through their agencies. But there’s no articulated law in the constitution that seriously addresses the needs of the widows and their families. Hence there’s the need for government to partner with NGOs that are specifically targeting the widows and their families. So it will be great if government calls for memoirs and interactive session with NGOs.
Meanwhile, we have been able to inaugurate our chapters in most of the states, with membership in all the LGA’s. We are moving gradually according to resources at available. It’s our wish to go round all the states of the federation. Presently we are in about 16 states.
In specific terms, what items have you given as empowerment to widows?
We have been able to establish most of the widows in different skills raging from fashion, catering, Event Planning, Bakery and crafts/Art works. We have given out Sewing Machines, Grinding Machines, Ovens, Bag and Shoe making tools etc.
How do you mark int’l widows’ day?
The Int’L Widows Day is a day being marked by UN to create awareness on the plight of widows in developing countries where different traditions abuses the right of the widows.
During this event, we empower indigent widows with startup Kits, training and Seminars. Medical reach out and Sports also.
Do you also push for widow’s rights especially from traditional perspectives?
This is our cardinal mandate as a widow’s organization. We advocate for the upholding of the Rights of the Widows. Abolishment of traditional rites that violates women dignity.
But to achieve most of our set goals, funding is a challenge. Basically, funding is our challenge. We have so much to do. Many of these widows are seriously in need of empowerment for sustenance.
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