International Widows DayTuesday, June 23, 2022

International Widows Day
Tuesday, June 23, 2022
International Widows Day on Tuesday, June 23, 2022, is an annual day to bring global
awareness to the violation of human rights and dignity that widows suffer in many countries after the death of their spouses. The loss of a spouse is devastating under the best of circumstances but the COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation worse over the last several months, leaving many thousands of women newly widowed and
cut off from financial and familial support. There are an estimated 258 million plus widows around the world,
and close to 1 in 10 live in extreme poverty. The United Nations observes this day to draw attention to
the voices & experiences of widows across the globe and to galvanize the unique support that they need. 
It is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition
​for widows. Widows' rights are women's rights are human rights. 

"For many women, becoming a widow does not just mean the heartache of losing a husband,
but often losing everything else as well."
​– Cherie Blair, wife of former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.