CHENNAI: On Saturday, the ground near Bertum Hall at Loyola College was echoing with the demands of rights and dignity for widows. The Federation of the Livelihood Rights of Widows hosted their second convention to put across their demands to the state Government through the media. “The first convention was held in June 2014. It was a successful event as some of our demands were met,” said Kulandaisamy, conveyor.
P Dhanalakhmi, a widow from Anchiyapalyam village in Villupuram, said, “My husband died when I was 25 and I was instructed to stay at home. I don’t want the same for the young widows of this generation,” she said. A member of Perungudi Widow Association, she now demands education and skill training for young widows so that they can lead a dignified life.
Scripted on the same line, the Loyola Outreach Department gives voice to these demands by enacting the plight of these widows. “Widows being restricted from doing certain activities is a social evil. It has to be done away with,” said Vignesh Raju, one of the performers.
Their powerful performance encouraged some women to take to the stage to put flowers in their head and wear kumkum. “This stage calls for a union of all widows to be strong. They don’t have to be marginalised and can voice their demands,” said Kulandaisamy. They plan to host similar events across the state.
Bala Bharathi, one of the speakers at the event said, “It will help us reach out to the masses and let them know about their rights. It also sets a platform for demanding a separate directorate for the widows under the Social Welfare Department and passing a bill to simplify the process of obtaining a widow certificate.” These events are also important because the number of widows has increased over time.
Around 1,200 widows from about 17 districts also took an oath to stay strong and united. They vowed to get themselves educated without any discrimination based on religion, caste, and social status.
Demands
Ban on liquor, and Rs 5 lakh compensation to the family
Increasing their pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000
Free skill-based training to widows
Free house made of concrete structures