The FCT Administration, on Tuesday, distributed food items for about 400 widows as part of the programmes to mark 2024 Internation Widows' Day.

Items distributed included assorted foodstuffs, detergents, wrappers, cooking oil, among others.

The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, who distributed the items on behalf of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, reiterated the commitment of the administration to alleviate the suffering of widows in the nation's capital.

According to her, "Since 2011, the United Nation declared June 23 as the International Widows' Day, in order to help the global community take a look at some of the issues affecting widows around the world, and what must be done to safeguard and advance their rights. This day is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows. This includes providing them with information and access to a fair share of their inheritance. It should be noted that empowering widows to support themselves and their families also means addressing social stigmas that create exclusion, discrimination or harmful practices."

She added, "Losing a dear husband is a traumatic experience that no sane woman would want to have. Widowhood is caused by so many factors including disease, poverty, war, accident, negligence and sometimes hatred, which always culminates in the death of a dear husband.

"For many women around the world, the devastating loss of a husband is always characterized by negligence and long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. Despite the fact that there are more than 258 million widows around the world, widows have historically been left unsupported in the various spectrums of our society."

The Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Kolawole Rabiu, said one of the main reasons why the secretariat was created was to alleviate the plights of widows and vulnerable in the FCT.