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Tell the UN to Support International Widows Day on June 23
  1. Signatures
    86 out of 100
    Petitioning
    1. United Nations
  2. Created By
    Brittany Shoot
    Boston, MA
About this Petition Petition Letter

Currently, there are more than 245 million widows in the world. Of them, nearly half live in poverty.

In many cultures, widows are persecuted social outcasts, pushed to the edges of society, disinherited, and forced to care for their children in terrible conditions. As if their grief was not difficult enough, many widows are married off to other family members, sold into slavery or forced servitude, raped and beaten, and sometimes murdered. Their children often drop out of school and face similar futures filled with trafficking and abuse.

Widows rights is a basic human rights issue and should be officially recognized and supported. Sign this petition and urge the United Nations to recognize and support International Widows Day so that by this time next year, we can celebrate the first international day honoring widows and their children on June 23.

Recent Signatures

Recognize International Widows Day on June 23

Greetings,

A recent report commissioned by The Loomba Foundation shows that there are more than 245 million widows in the world. Of them, nearly half, 115 million, live in poverty.

In many cultures in which women are treated as property and protected by men, widows are persecuted social outcasts, pushed to the edges of society, disinherited, and forced to care for their children in terrible conditions. As if their grief was not difficult enough, many widows are married off to other family members, sold into slavery or forced servitude, raped and beaten, and sometimes murdered. Their children often drop out of school and face futures filled with trafficking and abuse. 1.5 million widows' children die before their fifth birthday.

Widows rights are human rights, and we must do everything to protect their interests and take a stand for them because often, they suffer in silence. I urge you to recognize and support International Widows Day on June 23 and make it priority to address the needs of impoverished widows around the globe. By drawing attention to this matter, we can ensure that widows and their children will be protected for generations to come.

[Your name]

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