Women's History Month: Activist demands justice, dignity and equality for widows in Kenya

When a woman’s partner dies, she is often forced to adjust to a new way of living. Some widows move in with their children, while others live alone. Though psychologists suggest that widowhood can be a stage of greater personal control and freedom, many widows struggle to navigate this transition with dignity.

According to the UN Women, although there are over 258 million widows worldwide, they have long remained invisible, lacking support and recognition in our societies .

A report by Equality Now titled ‘Gender Inequality in Family Laws in Africa: An Overview of Key Trends in Select Countries’ also indicates that widows in some countries, particularly in the African region, are among the most vulnerable, regardless of cultural, religious or ethnic background. Social workers highlight that many African cultures subject widows to dehumanising mourning rites under the guise of tradition.

The situation is no different in Kenya, where widows constantly struggle for their rights and freedoms. This has led to widespread advocacy, with various activists launching campaigns to end the suffering endured by widows. Many of these advocates have firsthand experience with such injustices, as seen in the efforts of Nguvu Change Leader Peter Luya, who started a strong campaign after witnessing his own mother's struggles.

“I was only 10 years old when my father died. My mother was cursed, accused of practising juju (witchcraft), and stripped of her home, property and children, all because she was a widow. She suffered alone in her final days and died in isolation. To this day, my siblings and I do not know where she was buried,” says Peter.

He says that his mother’s ordeal is not an isolated case. Across Kenya, countless widows endure similar hardships, lacking support from their families, communities, or state institutions. “Thousands of families fall apart after the father’s death. Widows are driven out of their matrimonial homes, leaving them and their orphaned children in distress. In Kisumu County, where I live, such incidents are alarmingly increasing,” he says.

Determined to fight for justice and dignity for widows, Peter launched an online campaign urging the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Affirmative Action and Gender Affairs to strengthen existing laws and ensure their strict enforcement. His demand is that widows must be protected from exploitation and guaranteed their right to inheritance after their husband’s death.

“This injustice will only end when ordinary citizens unite and demand change. Widows deserve dignity, not dispossession. There's a need to strengthen inheritance laws now! We are already seeing progress with our neighbors in Siaya through the Widows Protection Bill 2024 which is awaiting passage by the County Assembly. Why not our county? I urge the Kisumu County Government to follow suit and implement a similar policy,” concludes Peter.