2024 International Widows’ Day Address by Ms. Fati (Executive Director of WOM)

• Below is the speech delivered by our executive director at this year’s edition of the International Widows Day Celebration

Honorable chair, Mma Ayara Memorial Institute, heads of department, other CSOs and NGOs present, media, magnanimous widows, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the commemoration of International Widows’ Day 2024. This year, the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) is collaborating with the Mma Ayara’s Memorial Institute to mark the day on the theme ‘The role of mothers in the education
of children: Lessons from the life history of Mma Ayara Atampugre’

This theme is timely, vital and resonates deeply with WOM’s educational thematic area. Mothers are often the first educators in a child’s life. They are the nurturers, the caregivers, and the role models who lay the foundation for their children’s growth and development. In the case of Widows, they also take on the role of primary breadwinners and sole guardians. Their dedication, resilience, and unwavering love provide the stability and encouragement that children need to thrive academically and personally.

Today, we gather to celebrate the incredible strength and influence of mothers. We acknowledge their indispensable role in education—not just in terms of formal schooling, but in imparting values, fostering curiosity, and nurturing a love for learning. We recognize that education extends beyond the classroom and that mothers play a crucial role in creating a supportive and enriching environment where children can dream, explore, and achieve their potential.

Unfortunately, many mothers that have become widowed have to navigate the complexities of single parenthood. The loss of a partner often brings significant financial, emotional, and social challenges. They find themselves having to make the difficult decision of migrating to other areas where they can sell their labour for income or food. This means that the children are left to nurture, care, become breadwinners, etc. themselves. According to the Ghana National
Household registry in 2018 and 2019, over 57% of children (66,520, 42,218) not in school in the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana are boys. Whiles this data does not go further to ascertain the percentage of these children who are orphans or have a mother that is widowed.
The data is alarming, and we should all be worried.

While WOM in collaboration with the Mma Ayara’s memorial Institute is committed to supporting these courageous women. We recognise that, the government needs to do better in rolling out and or implementing social protection policies to break the cyclical poverty these families experience. This country cannot afford to leaving anyone behind.

As we delve into today’s discussions learning from Mma Ayara’s life, let us remember the profound impact that empowered mothers can have on the educational journeys of their children. Let us explore ways to strengthen our support systems, create more opportunities, and advocate for policies that recognize and uplift the vital role of mothers in education.

On behalf of the board, management, staff and gallant widows and orphans who continue to rise against the odds, welcome.