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Widows worldwide face three main types of inequalities, harmful traditional practices, discrimination and disinheritance, often leading to multigenerational poverty cycles. These challenges are intricately connected with the heightened risk of HIV. Some unknowingly inherit the virus from their deceased spouses, while many others are exposed after becoming widows.

The Global Fund for Widows (GFW), announces the observance of International Widows Day on June 23, recognizing and celebrating the resilience and contributions of widows worldwide. To further increase the public’s understanding of the issue of widowhood and the daily challenges it presents to women and children globally, GFW is mobilizing its social media platform throughout the month of June.

In this edition of Pillow Talk by Pour Les Femmes, Robin Wright speaks with Heather Ibrahim-Leathers, the founder of Global Fund for Widows.

Pour Les Femmes Foundation Press Release on our International Widows Day collaboration in Washington, D.C.

GFW President Heather Ibrahim-Leathers spoke to CNN Anchor Zain Asher on Int’l Widows’ Day.

GFW looks at the advancement and inclusion of widows in the Agreed Conclusions of the 66th CSW, which focused on women, climate change, and risk reduction policies.

In March 2022 the UN General Assembly adopted the first-ever resolution on widowhood as a human rights issue. In this piece we provide policy and advocacy analysis for the widowhood movement.

GFW Press Release announcing the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution

We break down the key thematic takeaways from the UNSC Arria Formula Meeting on Widowhood.

The discrimination widows face continues despite policies promoting gender equality. We share the stories of Penina and Sophilet to illustrate at the gap between policy and practice and its effect on human rights and development challenges in Malawi.

GFW Press Release announcing the 13th Annual Gala Honorees.

At our International Widows Day Event, Sierra Leone announced their intention to table a stand-alone resolution on widowhood in the UN General Assembly's Third Committee. Here's why we're calling on Member States of the UN to support this resolution.

This year, the Global Fund for Widows (GFW) is pleased to celebrate International Widows Day with Whole Planet Foundation, and share the roaring success of our widows’ empowerment project in Egypt, The Amal Project.

Daily Nation features GFW and partner CTWOO in Kenya's policy developments to protect widows' rights.

On the 10th anniversary of International Widows Day, the Global Fund for Widows and its partner Whole Planet Foundation, mark an important milestone in Egypt.

International Widows Day celebrations are occurring throughout the global community in recognition of the plight of widows. The United Nations has ratified the 23rdof June as the official date of International Widows Day, encouraging various celebrations over the course of the month.

Widows in Egypt celebrated International Widows’ Day with a Commemorative candlelight ceremony in Old Cairo. Each widow uniformly could not comprehend the notion of a celebration in her honor.