Women Center for Self-Empowerment and Development, WOCSED, yesterday joined their counterparts to celebrate International Widows Day, aimed at creating awareness on the plight of widows.

 

The group which carters for the welfare of widow’s, vulnerable and girl child, gave free medical services, such as checking of blood sugar, high blood pressure, breast and cervical cancer screening, among others.

 

Correspondent, Amaka Chibuzor Okoye was there and  reports that while addressing the widows who gathered at Ihuanuka Community Hall, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, the founder of WOCSED, Mrs Onyeka Obi said her passion is to build up the Non-Governmental Organization in championing the course of widowhood as their rights most times are infringed upon, including the denial of their inheritance.

Mrs Obi noted that the day was set aside to address the issue of poverty, injustice, some obnoxious practices and neglect.

 

She advised the widow’s to stand strong, keep moving and acquire knowledge that will help them achieve all their potentials in life.

 

Speaking on the theme of this year’s International Widows Day, ‘Invisible women, invisible , Miss Uzoamaka Ike, noted that often times, widows are forgotten, maltreated and molested and maintained that widows should be taken care of and advised widows to speak up and seek for legal services, anytime they feel dehumanized.

Mrs Eunice Onunkwo encouraged widows not to be withered but to be focused and dedicated, as well as train their children with the fear of God.

 

Also speaking, a health worker, Mrs Calister Atuegwu, exposed the widows to inherent dangers and causes of cancer and advised them to always go for regular medical checkups in order to have good health.

 

In a remark, Mrs Josephine Okeke, applauded the convener, for seeing to the welfare of others and prayed God to bless her.

 

The event featured presentation of gifts to the widows by Mrs Obi, health talks, prayer, among others.