International Widows’ Day: Alone and dependent

Long-term solutions are needed to help widows become economically empowered.

ISLAMABAD:

While the new government brings in the good news of a 10% increase in the budget for widows of pensioners, this in essence only provides temporary financial relief to these women. The real and much needed solution lies in coming up with ways that help Pakistani widows of both government and non-government sector stand on their own feet.

From one man to another

With widowhood being a stigma in a conservative society, women who are widows are still considered ‘unlucky’. Society does not have an inclusive attitude when it comes to the remarriage of widows. This exacerbates the economic struggle of widows.

Widows are often remarried into the same family, either the younger brother of the husband or the cousin, and these are women who have never been empowered at any stage. “It’s like giving the control of her life from one man to another without being given a choice,” said Farzana Bari, human rights activist and professor at the Quaid-e-Azam University. Once a woman loses her husband, either her brother-in-law or father-in-law starts controlling.  “These women are never made to believe that they are self-sufficient,” said Bari. This lack of self-reliance translates into an economically dependent mindset that stifles creativity and subdues empowerment.



In Bari’s opinion, Pakistan does not have a well-defined policy for women because women here generally get married at an early age and are dependent on their husbands. If a woman loses her husband she not only suffers from economic hardship but also finds it extremely difficult to adjust socially. “Most women are not prepared for employment due to cultural restraints, lack of education, skill and experience. Hence a woman losing her husband suffers from great turmoil in a conservative society such as ours,” she said.

Still not enough?

Even with the increase in budget, the ones who get support seem less than satisfied. “Even with the 10%increase in budget, the amount is not sufficient enough,” said a government employee, also a widow of a government employee, on condition of anonymity. In her opinion, although the government gives family pension which includes perks such as free education for children up to 18 years of age, free health facilities at a government hospital, allotment of plot, employment for the wife and children of deceased government servants, yet the amount given is not enough in this era of inflation.

Long-term solutions

While the government does have a policy and budget for widows of government employees, the new government’s policies in this regard seem charity-centric, but ignore a sustained development approach. Financial stipends may help widows temporarily, but the ultimate aim should be to help them stand on their own feet. “What the budget is offering is within the framework of charity, rather than empowering them,” said Bari.

“Widows do not get exemption of property tax. Although there are very few of those who have property to begin with, it is still important,” said activist Rakshanda Parveen.

Widows of the non-government sector

“All widows go through similar personal problems when they lose their husband. However socio-economic challenges do vary,” said Bari, adding that “those that get support from the government are better off than those who do not get anything at all.” Beneficiaries of deceased government employees still manage to make ends meet; it is the non-government sector that needs to come up with better solutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2013.