24/06/2025
International Widows Day is observed annually to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows worldwide and to advocate for the full rights and recognition of widows in society. This day calls global attention to the social stigmas, economic hardships, and legal discrimination many widows endure.
Millions of widows face neglect, poverty, violence, and exclusion simply because they have lost their spouses. Often denied inheritance, land rights, and access to education or employment. International Widows Day is not just a moment for sympathy, civil society, and individuals to protect and empower widows and ensure they live with dignity and equality.
Fiji National University Students’ Association (FNUSA) stands in solidarity with widows around the world. We recognize the silent suffering of countless women who, after the loss of their spouses, face a second tragedy, that of societal abandonment and systemic injustice. Championing the legal rights of widows, advancing their economic independence through empowerment initiatives, engaging community leaders to challenge harmful traditional practices, and providing emotional support and solidarity during their most difficult times.
Let us use this day not only to remember, but to act.