Widows Welfare Project

WIDOWS WELFARE PROJECT

5 PROBLEMS FACED BY WIDOWS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Inheritance Rights

The majority of Indian Windows are deprived of their inheritance rights. If a widow has adult sons, she may enjoy it but if she is childless or has only daughters she actually faces problems.

pROHIBITION OF REMARRIAGE

Some castes prohibit the remarriage of widows. Others allow it provided that it is within the family. If a widow marries away, she loses to her children as well as property. The higher the caste, the more likely it is that widows remarriage is forbidden.

ECONOMIC PROBLEM

Many widows come across economic hardship during their life. Employment opportunities for windows are very low especially because of the limitations on mobility and gender division of labor.

VICTIM OF VIOLENCE

In many parts of India, particularly in tribal communities, widows are sometimes killed as witches. The underlying motivation is economic, the accusers tend to be male relatives, and a brother-in-law or stepsons who want to control the land.

Widows Welfare Program was started in the year 2000 to support widows in chellekere village who were struggling to make ends meet with a single income. The program now supports 250 women across three villages. Not only do they receive monetary support every month, but they are also given an opportunity to be part of the vocational and awareness program where they learnt important life skills to earn better wages at the workplace. Children of these young mothers are part of our evening tuition program and receive school education free of cost. Books, uniform, other school supplies along with one nutritious meal is provided every day to support the family.