An overview of the initiative to support poor widows in India, based on Raj Loomba’s experiences from his book “Widow Warrior: The Cause That Shaped My Life.”
The Situation of Widows in India
- India has around 46 million widows, making up nearly 10% of the female population of marital age.
- Over 15 million of these widows live in extreme poverty.
- Traditionally, widows – even child widows – face social stigma and are not allowed to remarry.
- Widows often lose any inheritance to their husband’s family and struggle to find work due to societal bias against single women.
- The impact extends to their children, who often have to abandon schooling and start working to support the family.
The Beginning of an Empowerment Program
- The Loomba Foundation started its first aid program in Delhi, providing education support for 100 children (49 girls and 51 boys) from poor widow families.
- Selection was based on need, not on religion, caste, ethnicity, or gender.
- Dr. Singhvi, with the help of the National Cadet Corps, assisted in identifying the first group of children.
Expansion of the Program
- The program expanded to various states across India in response to needs and disasters, including:
- Odisha (2001): Launched a scheme for 100 children following a cyclone that killed 10,000 people.
- Gujarat (2001): Supported 100 children after a devastating earthquake in Bhuj.
- Tamil Nadu (2004): Initially aided 200 children, later expanded to 500 after the 2004 tsunami.
Meeting the Widows
- The program’s events often included 400-500 widows and their children, resulting in emotional gatherings filled with gratitude and tears.
- As more widows and children were supported, the program grew methodically, with plans to roll out schemes across India.
Addressing Challenges and Natural Disasters
- The program expanded to areas affected by natural disasters, as widows were disproportionately impacted due to lack of social and financial safety nets.
- Each new disaster created more widows, necessitating a rapid response from the foundation.
Program Growth and Achievements
- By 2006, the program supported over 3,600 children, surpassing the initial target of 2,900.
- Beneficiaries included children from various states such as Rajasthan, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and others.
- Some children continued to higher education, with 18 students completing an engineering degree in Bhopal.
Improving the Quality of Education
- The foundation worked to enhance school infrastructure, focusing on sanitation and clean drinking water.
- In 2006, the foundation renovated a dilapidated school in Punjab, investing 50 lakh rupees with matching funds from the government.
Building the Education Program
- The vision required partnerships, sponsors, and donors to match the ambitious goals.
- High-profile figures from India and the UK, including politicians and community leaders, helped launch various initiatives.
- The strategy focused on collaboration with the government, businesses, and communities to challenge and change long-standing social prejudices.
Aiming for Social Change
- The foundation’s mission was to break down barriers for widows and their families by providing education and empowering the next generation.
- Working within the existing systems allowed the foundation to appeal for justice and gain support from influential leaders.
Conclusion
The Loomba Foundation’s work to empower widows and their children has transformed thousands of lives, providing education and hope to families in need. The journey continues, with ongoing efforts to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.
References:
- Loomba, Raj. Widow Warrior: The Cause That Shaped My Life. Bloomsbury.
- Image Credit: Raj Loomba | Roger Harris/CC BY 3.0
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