International Widows’ Day, observed annually on June 23, is an occasion launched by the United Nations in 2011 to shed light on the suffering of widows around the world—women who often face marginalization, poverty, and the loss of basic rights after the death of their spouses. This day aims to break the silence surrounding widows’ struggles and empower them to live with dignity and social security.
However, when we look at the reality in Iraq, the story of widows becomes even more complex, turning into a deepening humanitarian tragedy resulting from decades of wars, sectarian violence, terrorism, and political and economic collapse.
Widows of Iraq: Wounds That Do Not Heal
According to both local and international reports, the number of widows in Iraq is estimated to exceed 1.5 million, most of whom lost their husbands due to armed conflicts spanning from the 1980s until today—from the Iran-Iraq war, to the Gulf War, the U.S. invasion, and finally the ISIS takeover of large parts of the country.
Major Challenges Faced by Iraqi Widows
1. Poverty and financial hardship
Many widows lack a stable source of income and depend on modest government allowances that barely cover basic needs. Some are forced to work in marginal jobs or even beg in order to feed their children.
2. Social discrimination
Widows often face stigma and social exclusion, especially in rural or conservative communities, where they may be unfairly blamed for their husband’s death or viewed as a burden.
3. Lack of psychological and social support
There are very few governmental programs dedicated to psychological rehabilitation, trauma recovery, or vocational training for widows—despite their critical need for such services.
4. Widows in displacement camps
A large number of widows still live in displacement camps lacking the most basic necessities of life, after wars destroyed their homes and impoverished their families.
5. Legal and institutional neglect
Despite the existence of a ministry concerned with women’s affairs, programs targeting widows remain weak or inactive. There is also a clear lack of legislation protecting their rights to inheritance, housing, and child custody.
Calls for Solutions
On this international day, activists and organizations appeal to the Iraqi government and the global community to:
- Strengthen social protection programs and expand access to welfare benefits.
- Launch vocational and educational training initiatives to economically empower widows.
- Promote community awareness to combat negative stereotypes about widows.
- Integrate widows into national policymaking as a vital segment of society.
- Provide free psychological and legal support services.
Promising Local Initiatives – The Role of Al-Rakeezeh Foundation
Despite the immense challenges Iraqi widows face, several local initiatives aim to ease their suffering and improve their social and economic conditions. Among these, Al-Rakeezeh Foundation stands out as a humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting orphans and their widowed mothers.
The foundation plays a vital role in empowering this marginalized group through vocational and professional training programs. It has successfully provided job opportunities to many widows and organized training courses in areas such as sewing and livestock-based income like providing a dairy cow—initiatives that enable women to acquire new skills and gain economic independence.
Al-Rakeezeh Foundation also offers psychological and social support and fosters community-based networks of solidarity that help widows live with dignity and stability.
This pioneering role highlights the importance of partnership between civil society and the state in addressing major humanitarian issues, and brings hope for positive change even in the harshest circumstances.
A Global Call to Action
International Widows’ Day is not merely a symbolic occasion. It must serve as a practical call for all governments—especially those in conflict-affected countries such as Iraq—to take serious action regarding the situation of women who bear the brunt of wars and instability without being part of them.
Empowering widows is, in essence, empowering entire families and a crucial step toward healing societies from their deepest wounds.
