Privileged persons, especially close relatives of deceased men, have been asked to ensure that their widows are not affected adversely, as they are urged to treat the women well and assist them in establishing sources of livelihood for themselves and children. The charge was given by Mother Carol Okwara, President, Confraternity of Christian Mothers (CCM), St. Mary Catholic Church, Isolo Lagos, when 40 widows were empowered, during the 2024 Widows Empowerment Scheme held recently in the Church. Speaking on the bad treatment meted to widows by family members of deceased men, Okwara advised the people not to maltreat these women, nor accuse them of being responsible for their husbands’ death, but to show love and support them in catering for their family.
The president decried situations where the family members of the deceased wealthy men take the properties of the man away from the wife and children. She said the CCM want to wipe the tears from the eyes of the bereaved women, make them know that the Church cares for them by empowering them in starting up viable business ventures. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Egbuniwe thanked the parishioners for supporting and donating to the scheme. He commended the CCM for carrying out the assignment given to them in a way of adding value to the lives of the widows in the parish and community. According to Fr. Egbuniwe, it is part of the mission of the parish since 2007 to empower and help people to become self-sufficient, with the aim that these beneficiaries in the long run will also be able to help others.
He advised the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity well as he urged Christians to be truly Christlike and come to the aid of those that need their assistance. He added that religion or the church people should not be the priority, but adding value to people’s lives. Mother Esther Abuah, the Coordinator of the empowerment scheme said the motive of the programme is to make widows self-sufficient and prevent them from sexual harassment by men who pretend to be helping them. On the monitoring and successful business venture, Abuah disclosed that some of the widows that have benefited from previous programmes as well as other experts were on hand to talk to the women on empowerment and business continuity.
Referring the women to Scripture where Jesus multiplied few loaves of bread into thousands of baskets, she advised them to utilise whatever they get to the best of their ability. She said they do not need to get millions of naira, noting that with 100 thousand naira, they can startup their businesses. She added that it is diligence and continuity that makes the difference in anything one ventures into. The 40 beneficiaries were presented with varied empowerment items, including sewing machines, cooking tools, food items, chemicals for soap, antiseptic, among other items for their business ventures.
