In commemoration of International Widow’s Day 2025 themed “Empower Her: From Loss to Leadership,” the Chadash Empowerment Foundation has trained and empowered 250 widows across Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja with vocational equipment and financial support to help them rebuild their lives.
The Foundation, led by its founder/convener and wife of Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), Mrs. Temitope Adeola, provided hands-on training for 150 widows in Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State, and 100 widows in Abuja.
The Abuja event took place on Sunday, June 22, at Wuse, where widows received starter kits including sewing machines, hairdressing equipment, makeup kits, grinding machines, food items, and cash grants of N20,000 each.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Adeola said the Chadash Empowerment Foundation was established to alleviate the plight of young widows and orphans who are often left vulnerable in society. She emphasised that the foundation’s mission aligns with the 2025 International Widow’s Day theme by helping widows transition from loss to leadership.
“We believe that every widow has the right to grieve and the right to grow. To lead. To build. To thrive,” she stated.
“That is why Chadash Empowerment Foundation has decided to train and empower 250 widows in various vocational trainings such as hairdressing, leatherworks, tailoring, entrepreneurship, and makeup artistry for four days. Today, I am happy to inform you that all the participants have successfully completed their training from professionals and will be receiving full starter kits and cash to launch their own ventures.”
Mrs. Adeola drew attention to the global plight of widows, noting that over 258 million widows exist worldwide, with an estimated 15 million in Nigeria alone, many of whom suffer economic hardship, social stigma, and legal discrimination after the loss of their spouses.
She decried harmful cultural practices and ignorance of legal rights, referencing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, which criminalizes harmful traditional practices against widows.
“In some regions, widows are denied inheritance, cast out of homes, or subjected to inhumane practices that silence and marginalize them,” she said.
“The law is clear, subjecting a widow to harmful traditional practices is a crime punishable by up to two years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000, or both.”
She urged stakeholders to promote access to education, economic opportunities, legal rights, and social inclusion for widows.
“Widows should not be seen or treated as victims of death, but as powerful contributors to the development of society, as single parents, community leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and advocates for justice,” she added.
Also, speaking at the event, Mrs. Janet Jiya, who represented the wives of Senators, commended Mrs. Adeola for her consistency in supporting widows and orphans.
“You have continued to add value to the lives of underprivileged women, and we hope the beneficiaries will, in turn, be a blessing to others,” she said.
Now in its fourth year, the widow empowerment initiative by Chadash Empowerment Foundation has become a beacon of hope for indigent women navigating the challenges of widowhood.
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