Beyond doles

EDITORIAL

Goa needs a comprehensive policy to restore widows’ dignity, security and livelihoods

Today is International Widows’ Day, a solemn reminder that for many women, the loss of a partner is compounded by a lifelong struggle for basic rights and dignity. As they navigate the profound grief of widowhood, many also face economic insecurity, stigma and societal biases. It is a necessary occasion to evaluate how we, as a society, safeguard the rights of these women.

The state government provides various welfare schemes, including support for widows from economically weaker sections. A year ago, the government commendably hiked financial assistance and streamlined the application process by merging the Social Welfare and Griha Aadhar schemes. Widows with a child under 21 now receive Rs 4,000 monthly, while those with children over 21 receive Rs 2,500. The number of beneficiaries is more than 40,000, and many are under 60 years of age. The exact number of widows is not known. However, a welfare state must be judged by its reliability. The direct transfer of these funds must be regular, prompt and immune to bureaucratic lag.

Beyond doles, we must confront the root causes of this vulnerability. It is essential to analyse why so many women in Goa are widowed in their prime. Many have lost their breadwinning husbands to alcoholism, accidents or chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis. The government must tackle the roots of alcoholism. We need a concerted, state-wide mechanism, supported by organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to dissuade our youth from falling into this trap.

The government must build a comprehensive database of widows. We need to know their ages, educational backgrounds and skill sets to design effective support systems. With an average of around 1,000 widows per Assembly constituency, individualised outreach is entirely feasible. Respective MLAs may help widows, but what we need is a change in the government’s thinking towards them.

It is time for Goa to shift its focus from merely providing a monthly pension to active socio-economic rehabilitation. Many of these women are educated but were left without a support system to reclaim their careers. The government should partner with local industries to offer training and placement for widows in sectors such as retail, hospitality, garments and healthcare.

Furthermore, we need “widow-friendly” hiring policies within Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and state-run employment programmes. Micro-loans at low interest rates are helpful, but they must be accessible and actively promoted. With technology, reaching out to widows is not difficult.

Finally, we must address the invisible trauma. Losing a spouse is an immense psychological burden that often leads to depression and isolation. Goa needs a ‘widows’ collective’, a space where women can find peer support, information and legal aid to protect themselves from exploitation during their most vulnerable times. Some women’s organisations have been working on this silently for years. Besides, especially in the hinterland, widows continue to suffer in the name of following traditions. Following the progressive Herwad Pattern adopted in many villages of Maharashtra, several gram sabhas across Goa have passed resolutions to stop widowhood practices, reflecting the strong sentiments of the people against these regressive customs. But the state government has failed to keep its word of bringing in a law against widowhood discrimination.

Beyond empathy, International Widows’ Day should be a catalyst for political will. There is a clear need to move from a culture of dependency to one of empowerment. By moving from a model of handouts to one of holistic rehabilitation, we can ensure that every widow in Goa lives with the dignity, respect and independence she deserves.