International Widows Day: Women in Kwale cleberate milestones under Tuwajali Wajane initiative

As International Widows Day was marked on Sunday, at least 800 widows from Kwale County celebrated milestones in empowering themselves and others through the Tuwajali Wajane (let's care for widows) programme.

The women from different sub-counties said the programme has seen them learn their rights, invest in small businesses, and overcome mental health issues that come with death.

At a gathering in Vingujini, Msambweni Sub-county, on Friday, the women had candid conversations in which some admitted to having had suicidal thoughts which they said they overcame because of the empowerment they attained via businesses and organic farming.

They said they have been able to heal, fight negative thoughts and build dignified lives for themselves and their families.

Widows in Kwale County attend an event at Vingujini in Msambweni Sub-county on June 23, 2024, that marked International Widows Day. (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

Nchalika Omar, one of the widows, said she was widowed 15 years ago and was immediately abandoned by her relatives.

"When my husband passed away, I was sent away by his children. They said there was nothing connecting me to the family since I did not have a child with my husband," she said at the event attended by government officials, civil society representatives, and religious leaders.

It was themed "Accelerating the Achievements of Gender Equality," with an emphasis on strengthening land and property rights.

Nchalika had a tough life because she was a stay-at-home mother with no source of income, but this was only until she joined Tuwajali Wajane.

"At some point, I experienced trouble sleeping. I had lost hope in life but other widows held my hand and walked with me through the healing journey," she said.

Kwale County Gender and Youth Officer Nelly Amoite and Dr Mwanasiti Bendera during an event at Vingujini in Msambweni Sub-county on June 23, 2024, that marked International Widows Day. (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

Individual stories

Khadija Khalfan, a member of the group, lost her husband eight years ago, when she was 30 years old.

“After my husband died, in-laws sent me out of my matrimonial home. They said I would use the house to engage in prostitution. They took all of my husband’s documents,” she said, adding that she was also told she would bring shame to the family as she was still young.

“My two children were not benefiting from any funds.  I would apply for scholarships but all the donors would ask for my husband’s death certificate, which I do not have,” she said.

Khadija told the meeting that she considered taking her own life but found the initiative, which she credits with turning her life around.

Bintihamisi Wendo, who has two children, said, her husband did not return from the Middle East, where he went to look for a job.

"Immediately after his family heard of his death, they took everything that belonged to their son and left me with nothing," she said, adding, however, that the programme helped by teaching her how to use her land to earn a living.

Another widow, identified only as Faida, lost her husband to a gang attack in 2017.

"It was tough for me. I was in pain over the loss of my husband and at the same time, I suffered from my in-law's mistreatment. I have a child living with a disability who did not know where to get help after his father's death," she said.

"Since I joined this group, I have managed to register my child with the PWDs association and am now benefiting from donor funds."

Widows in Kwale County attend an event at Vingujini in Msambweni Sub-county on June 23, 2024, that marked International Widows Day. (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

Assistance from partners

Kenya has an estimated eight million widows and is ranked 33rd on the list of countries worldwide that have a harsh environment for widows.

Initiative director Mwanasha Gaserego said they have been bringing in stakeholders from various institutions to encourage the widows through motivational talks.

"Some of the widows who joined us were suicidal but through counselling and psychosocial support, they are now better. They are more focused on building their lives and those of their children as their hope has been revived, she said.

The widows have also been trained in public speaking, a skill the majority of them lacked.

"What we see now are confident women who can stand up for themselves and others in similar situations. When they first joined us, some could not even face police officers or enter any government office but have since overcome their fear and even assist new widows in fighting for their properties through legal means," she said.

Traditional hand fans made by widows from Kwale County, for sale, are pictured during an event at Vingujini in Msambweni Sub-county on June 23, 2024, that marked International Widows Day. (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

County efforts

County Gender and Youth Officer Nelly Amoite said they have been directing widows to places where they can get assistance in regaining ownership of their properties since they started working with them in 2020.

"We have been working closely with chiefs and local administrations to ensure we safeguard the rights of widows in this region. We can say our efforts are yielding positive results. Cases of gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy and widow mistreatment have tremendously gone down, she said.

A mentor at Juror Fazil Chinoy Fellowship, Dr. Mwanasiti Bendera, who is also a board member of Samba Sports Youth Agenda, said they have been supporting the widows for three years now.

Mwanasiti said the fellowship's main agenda is to offer technical support to the widows.

"We started the fellowship as a programme to support a group of widows but the widows have made such great strides that they are now an institution with board members and have today launched their manifesto that will run this institution for the next five years," she said.

She expressed confidence that the widows can stand on their own after thorough mentorship programmes that have equipped them with skills including organic farming and business management. They have also opened a sacco to empower the widows financially.

Kwale County Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga with Tuwajali Wajane Director Mwanasha Gaserego during an event at Vingujini in Msambweni Sub-county on June 23, 2024, that marked International Widows Day. (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

Legal protection

Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga called on the widows to register their groups so they can benefit from tenders.

"Being a widow does not make you disabled. You have the power to transform yourself by participating in social and economic activities. The government is here to support you," said Mwanaisha.

She noted that the government is working on strengthening existing laws like the Law of Succession Act, the Marriage Act, and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act.

"The aim is to provide better legal protection for widows' inheritance rights and safety. It will help prevent dispossession and ensure widows have a fair share of their deceased spouse's estates."

At the same time, she called on the local administration to be at the forefront of protecting widows.

"Some individuals attack widows. When they find widows living alone, they sexually abuse them. When such cases are brought to you, please follow up to ensure the widows get justice," she said.