The Government has urged widows to take advantage of programmes run through funds established under law for economic empowerment.
Speaking during the national celebrations for international widows in Nyamira county, first lady Racheal Ruto and the president’s advisor on women’s rights Harriette Chiggai, said there are funds targeting women from the ward level all the way to the national level, now requesting women to attach themselves to self-help groups that would enable them access funds and empower themselves economically.
According to the first lady, there are gaps in understanding how women will access financial support. “We called on relevant Government agencies to invest in training for women and widows on how to access the support and free themselves from the chains of poverty cycles,” Rachel stated
Consequently, there has been a push for widows to know and understand their rights more so immediately their husbands pass on, as most of those who spoke and gave personal experiences pointed to a society that is quick to get rid of the lady once their husband dies.
According to educators who spoke to the women, it would be prudent for widows, once they assume the status, to secure their husband’s property, legally, to avoid scenarios where they are disinherited
This comes at a time when nominated MP Irene Mayaka said she would be requesting for a statement on the floor of the National Assembly, seeking to have a clearer picture on the numbers of widows in the country, as well as establish a database that would be the repository and give a basis for future budgeting.
The first lady called on the community to embrace the widows and not discriminate against them as it emerged, through testimonies given that they had become a pariah in society, with some of their married friends now shunning them for fear that they would take their husbands.
