On International Widows’ Day, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu called for a change in the mindset towards widows, asking “if a man can remarry, why can’t a woman?”

Addressing the gathering on the occasion of International Widows’ Day at an organised by the Loomba Foundation at the Vigyan Bhawan, Venkaiah Naidu  said, “There is a problem in the mindset of the people, we need to change this mindset”.

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Naidu said that it is a matter of concern that widows are looked down upon and at times meted out unjust treatment even in the present digital era. A powerful social movement is required to change the mindset of people towards widows, he added.

It should be the pious responsibility of everyone to take care of widows. It is a matter of concern that widows are looked down upon and at times meted out unjust treatment even in the present digital era. #InternationalWidowsDay pic.twitter.com/JfAsVdler8

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) June 23, 2018

The Vice President stressed on the need to create livelihood opportunities through vocational training programmes in various areas, including tailoring, garment making and packaging for widows.

He further said that states like Haryana and Rajasthan are giving preference to widows seeking government jobs through competitive examinations. This should be emulated by other states too, he added.

Highlighting the need to empower widows, the Naidu said that providing livelihood skills and education for their children is important. He further said that under the social welfare schemes like housing and land distribution, entitlements need to be given in the name of women and preference should be meted to widows. “Such measures will help in empowering them,” he added.

Another important aspect that needs special focus is to provide education to the children of widows. Here too, the government, civil society and the private sector should join hands to give preferential treatment to such children.

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) June 23, 2018

The Vice President said that the concept of New India encompasses economically emancipated women and if that vision is realised, many of the social ills like atrocities on women and neglect of widows can become a thing of the past.

Our concept of New India encompasses economically emancipated women. If that vision is realized, many of the social ills like atrocities on women and neglect of widows can become a thing of the past. #InternationalWidowsDay

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) June 23, 2018

Speaking at the event, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad echoed the same sentiments. Prasad said, “The steps taken for the empowerment of widows will not be successful unless it is taken as a mass movement. Without a change in attitude we can not change much”.

The foundation, working for the widows across the world, was started by Lord Raj Loomba CBE in 1997.

Loomba urged the Indian government to take steps to improve the condition of widows in the country.

“India has 46 million widows, largest in any country. I urged the Indian government to set up a national commission for widows along side of the National Commission for Women. I also urged the government to include women in the minority section to provide them various assistance,” Loomba said.

(with agency inputs)