Seetha, a rural poor and illiterate woman standing up for widows rights
Allow me to introduce Seetha Mahalakshmi: her name might not be familiar but what she represents is priceless – social justice for widows in India. Seetha is part of a network of 200 000 women in rural south-east India supported by SOPAR (www.sopar-balavikasa.org/ - a Canadian international development organization helped by many generous Canadian donors including the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.
The misery of Seetha’s daughter and millions of other widows in India - Seetha’s daughter was treated as a bad omen the day she became a widow. Considered to be the cause of her husband’s death, villagers wished to exclude her of all religious and community gatherings. Villagers who would see her face first thing in the morning said it would bring bad luck upon them for the day. People were trying to persuade her not to wear good clothes or jewellery like other women. Many widows, like Seetha’s daughter, feel totally excluded and either commit suicide or seriously think about it.
Derogatory beliefs, superstitions and taboos around widows persist in rural Indian communities. A change in attitude is essential in order to bring about change.
Seetha takes the floor:
“The awareness sessions made me realize that we treat widows unfairly. When my daughter became a widow at the age of 22, I refused that she be excluded. She came to live with us and I told all my neighbours that we did not care about their superstitious beliefs and that my daughter would continue her life like other women. I encouraged her to remarry in spite of resistance from villagers in my community. Six months ago, I became a widow. I will not let people put me aside and impose their way of thinking on me. I have become a strong woman and will continue to be even though my husband has passed away and I will encourage other widows to be strong as well”.
SOPAR is bringing attitude change in the society regarding widows- SOPAR’s sister organization in India named Bala Vikasa, is acting as a leader to address the many injustices faced by Indian widows. Bala Vikasa developed its Justice for Widows Program in 2006 in order to alleviate widows’ suffering and social exclusion. The program strengthens widows’ capacities and leadership so that they regain dignity confidence and autonomy. It creates opportunity so that they can meet their own needs and those of their children. It also brings awareness to the whole society on superstitious beliefs related to widows.
70000+ women like Seetha have participated in SOPAR’s awareness sessions to stop superstitious beliefs related to widows and 10 000 are part of the Widows Program. The actions of these women are creating ripple effects in rural Indian communities. People are starting to question traditional beliefs and to fight for justice for widows.
This year on International Widows day - June 23 – Seetha along with 1000 widows joined in a rally organized by Bala Vikasa in the main streets of Warangal (southern India) standing together for widows’ rights and for a better world.
Guest Blogger: Janice Aubry, Program Officer