By Foday Moriba Conteh
To commemorate International Widows Day 2021, with the theme: “Invisible Women, Invisible Problems” and in its quest to support the less privileged in society, especially Aged widows, the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA), a charitable and non-Governmental Organization that advocates for the needs and rights of the aged, on Wednesday 23rd June, 2021 joined other organizations around the world to observe the day.
The commemoration, which took place at the Head Office of the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) on Pademba Road in Freetown, was followed by the donation of food and non-food items, which include rice, tomatoes, onions, sugar, toilet accessories and used clothing to Aged widows present during the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of Dorwontony Organization for the Aged, Dorren Barrie, stated that the organization was founded in order to serve as the voice to advocate for the needs and rights of the aged across the country, adding that old people should not be considered as liabilities to society but rather should be given the care they deserve stating how they are the backbone of any peaceful society.
She added that as part of efforts in showing solidarity with women who have lost their partners, especially Aged Widows in the country, her organization thought it fit to commemorate this year’s International Widows Day furthering that it is a global awareness day that takes place annually on the 23rd June every year, adding that the day was launched by the United Nations in 2010 to raise awareness on the violation of the fundamental human rights that widows suffer in many countries following the death of their spouses.
Dorren Barrie pointed out that in many parts of the country women find themselves left in poverty when their husband dies and in some instances these women are denied the right of inheritance and land rights, evicted from their homes, and suffer from other forms of abuses noting that the children of widows also often find themselves affected, withdrawn from school and are more prone to abuses, especially in the case of girls.
She maintained that the ultimate goal of the day is to develop resources and policy to empower widows and allow them to have access to education, work, healthcare and lives free of violence and abuse.
Dorren revealed that it is against such a backdrop that they also decided to partner with a medical nurse from the United Kingdom, Anita L. Davies ,who conducted pressure checkups on all aged widows present and made referrals to a pharmacy where they will be treated free of cost.
The Founder of DOFA disclosed that the theme for this year’s International Widow Day is “Invisible Women, Invisible Problems” of which she said losing their partner can never be an easy thing for anyone but for a woman the hardship that comes along with the loss of their spouse is unimaginable.
She extended appreciation to Afri-Gas, Kabba Farm, Claudia Temple, Alpha Tanue for their support in making the event a success and called on the Government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to support them in order to continue to provide more support to the Aged in the country, adding that old people are very important personalities in society and should not be neglected.
On her part, a nurse from the United Kingdom, Anita L. Davies, expressed appreciation to the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) for their strides taken in advocating for the needs and rights of the aged in the country.
She maintained that in a bid to empower women and safeguard the rights of widows, the UN General Assembly, on December 21, 2010, adopted a resolution and declared June 23 as International Widows Day saying she is very delighted to join the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) to commemorate this year’s International Widows Day with Aged widows.
Anita L. Davies said that as part of their contributions towards supporting Aged Widows she decided to conduct free pressure check-ups on all aged widows present, furthering that all those identified with high pressure will be put on treatment at a pharmacy free of cost.
Giving the vote of thanks, one of the beneficiaries, Sai Sesay, who resides at Congo Bridge, Tengbeh Town commended the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) and Anita L. Davies for their kind gestures.
She disclosed that living as a widow, especially them as old people, is not really easy as they are faced with a lot of challenges adding that some of them find themselves left in poverty when their husband dies and in some cases they are denied the right of inheritance and access to land , evicted from their homes and sometimes abused.
The event was climaxed by a free pressure checkup and referrals by the medical nurse from the United Kingdom, Anita L. Davies.
