We are not even aware that palliatives were distributed during the lockdown period in Adamawa State, Mrs Jummai, a vulnerable widow with seven children decried.
The atmospheric phenomenon at home which was characterized by exchanges of pleasantries among the couples have ceased following the demise of the bread winner. The house is now left with only the heirs while the burden of family upkeep has been shifted to wives (widows).
These widows lost their husbands in circumstances such as conflict, wars, accidents, sickness or catastrophe. They were left with orphans and myriads of family issues ranging from feeding, payment of school fees, and hospital bills among others. Available statistics shows that there are about 258 million widows worldwide and the figures had increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has negatively impacted on the means of widows livelihood.
The conditions of vulnerable widows in semi and urban towns in Adamawa state was aggravated occasioned by lockdown of COVID-19 imposed on the state by government in 2020, thereby forcing some to sleep on empty stomach. Though, the step taken by the state government was in conformity with global approach to curtail the spread of the disease.
Frankly speaking, we have suffered, because sometimes we go to bed on empty stomach, particularly during the era of lockdown, Rukaiyatu said.
It has become obvious that family relations of orphans instead of providing care, comfort and compassion have distanced themselves and left the widows to feed and cater for themselves and their children.
Relations of my husband were not assisting towards the upbringing of the children, I only depend on Allah for our survival, Laraba, a retorted.
Mrs Jummai, a mother of seven who lives in Yola, the Adamawa state capital Northeast Nigeria is among the vulnerable widows that suffered the greatest pain of COVID-19, she said we suffered a lot during lockdown, no any income, nowhere to beg, we were not even aware that palliative were distributed during the period.
She however, suggested that t trusted people should be mandated to handle the distribution of palliative as a deliberate move to ensure that target beneficiaries got their own share.
Another widow, Mrs Laraba Ibrahim admitted that no palliative gets to her either from government or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), though some individuals within the community where she lives have assisted her considering her predicament.
I was sick prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, and my condition worsens during the lockdown, up to now I have not recovered.
We have been hearing that palliative was distributed, but it has reached us. I have not got anything like palliative either from government or NGO, though some individuals have assisted me considering my predicament. She lamented.
Despite her condition, she wore face mask when, this Reporter met her at her residence, saying it is in compliance with government directive to curtail the spread of the disease.
I wear face mask so as not to contact the disease and curtail its spread within family members, Laraba said.
For Rukaiyatu Ibrahim, a mother of three children who lives in a dilapidated structure offered to her by someone as her husband died without having a personal house, things could have been better for her as she engaged in some menial jobs for sustenance, but COVID-19 has hit her back.
I use to engage in menial jobs, like washing basins/clothes in houses of wealthy individuals to sustain myself and my children, however, during the lockdown, the condition become terrible, because no jobs were offered to us again as the work are being assigned to grow up children in the houses who take over the domestic chores, she said.
I have not received anything in the name of palliative since the outbreak of Corona pandemic.
It has become obvious now that, it is the widow that will cater for her children after the death of their father; relations of their father would abandon you, Rukaiyatu said.
Child Education
Education is a catalyst for any meaningful development to thrive in a community and can be achieved if a person has the capacity and capability to acquire as the responsibility of government is to provide free and functional education to its citizens.
Some of the Orphans spoken to appealed to government to fashion out a sustainable policy where orphans should enjoy free education at secondary school levels.
The policy if implemented will go a long way to help us acquire at least secondary school education being the bench mark for seeking employment in Nigeria, my father died as a poor man and my mother cannot cater for our education, one of the orphans said
I have been begging others to sponsor education my kids in schools, and those assisting me got tired, now the children were withdrawn from schools due to nonpayment of school fees, Laraba said.
My children were withdrawn from schools; I dont have money to pay for the school fees.
Im seriously in need of assistance so that my children will go back to schools, because education plays vital role in our lives, Rukaiyatu said
Need for action
There are thousands of vulnerable widows who bear the same burden like those interviewed, because they have not prayed for the death of their beloved husbands and any financial assistance can strengthen their capacity to generate income and change their present quandary life.
Authorities should device means of removing any negative impact on the livelihood of vulnerable widows and their children by linking them up to needed resources.
Media and women groups should create awareness about the plights of vulnerable widows and their children so that non-governmental organizations and public spirited individuals can assist.
This article is part of COVID-19 Response: Together for Reliable Information project implemented by PAGED Initiative supported by the EU and FreePress Unlimited.
Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕