Helpline Initiative marks International Widows’ Day 2026

As the world marks International Widows’ Day 2026, a non-governmental organisation, Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), Abuja, has called for the recognition of widows’ strength, resilience and invaluable contributions to their families, communities and society.

The Widow’s Day is an awareness day of the United Nations that is observed throughout the world to discuss the hardships that widows face.

Cecilia Kadiri, communications officer of HSSI, in a statement, said for the past 23 years, it has remained committed to supporting vulnerable women, particularly widows, through sustainable empowerment programmes designed to restore dignity, build resilience, and create pathways to economic independence.

“What began as a modest intervention has grown into a far-reaching empowerment programme that has impacted hundreds of widows across the FCT, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Enugu, and Kaduna States. Through our nonprofit revolving loan scheme, skills acquisition programmes, financial literacy training, mentorship, and business support initiatives, we have helped widows establish and expand small businesses, improve household incomes, and become active contributors to their local economies.