A Call to Christians and Churches to Remember Widows on International Widows’ Day

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One of the most acknowledged and recognized people groups that the Lord made a point of calling out for the importance of their care is widows. He was emphatic in Exodus 22:12 that if widows or orphans are afflicted in any way and they cry out to the Lord, that He will pour out His wrath on those who afflict them.
 
 In James 1:27, the reader is told that making a point of “visiting orphans and widows in their trouble” is considered evidence of someone who is a true Christian. Widows and orphans were considered vulnerable people groups back then, and they are still considered vulnerable people groups today. There are plenty of additional scriptures that call out the Lord’s command to care for them.

Why International Widows’ Day was Implemented

There are a total of 11.9 million widows in the United States (women and men), according to a 2023 U.S. Census Bureau report picked up by Savant Wealth. There are about 2800 people who become newly widowed each day, and the average age for someone to become widowed is 59. Women typically outlive men, so there is a larger number of female widows than male. About 3.5 million men in the United States are widowed, according to Securian.

Globally, there are 258 million people who are widowed, and International Widows’ Day was started by the United Nations as a way to raise awareness among policymakers that this “invisible” group needs to be included along with the needs of other groups who are considered vulnerable groups, according to International Event Day.

On June 23 of this year, there will be senior political leaders, international organizations, and advocates and delegates from multiple countries who will be gathering in London to discuss the economic, social, and humanitarian challenges that today’s widows face, according to The Loomba Foundation.

It was the result of Lord Loomba’s campaign that International Widows’ Day was established by the UN in 2010. His passion for pushing for the special day came because of his personal experience when he was a child, and his mother was widowed with seven children she had to raise on her own. There are over 200,000 widows across 12 nations whose lives the Loomba Foundation has been able to improve.

Two of the Most Challenging Places to be a Widow

Africa and Asia are two of the harshest places to be a widow. “In some places, it isn’t uncommon for adult children to cast their widowed mother out of the home,” Bishop Daniel Timotheos Yohannan, president of Texas-based GFA World, told Christian newswire. There are many cultures that blame a widow for the death of her husband and consider her to be cursed.

The stigma is so bad in some communities that women can lose their rights to inheritance and property, and in some cases, can be forced to leave their homes. The UN is working to erase the stigma, discrimination, and push for equal human rights, according to a UN press release.

What the Church can Do

It’s important for the church to reach out to widows and make sure they’re being included in the community. There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” way to grieve, and there isn’t a timeline for when someone should be “over” their grief. Widows need a community that’s patient and compassionate. Widowhood is a very lonely and painful experience. While some of their other needs may be unique needs, many also have unique giftings, talents, and insight because of what they’ve been through. As the church blesses them and cares for them in body, soul, and spirit (however needed), they will be a blessing to the church. Click here for a bit more about how to care for widows.

If you are widowed, there is hope and support available for you. Please visit GriefShare.org to find a support group in your area.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Halfpoint

Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.