Widowhood Practices and its Challenges on the Human Dignity of Widows in Nneato in Imo State, West Africa in the 21st Century

Equality and freedom have eluded women in the beleaguered history of humanity and all cultures seem to have one thing in common; contempt for women. The international bill of rights has the objective to liberate all human beings from oppression, suppression, intimidation and victimization, yet pockets of evidence attest to the unequal status of women which is offensive to human rights and dignity. Certain laws are made to denigrate and discriminate against them in all spheres. This is more on widows, exacerbated by the unwillingness of the family members and even the society to accept and assist them as they grapple with the reality of their new situation. This paper takes a critical look at some of the widowhood practices that injure the dignity of widows in Nneato in Igbo land, and their right to freedom from discrimination and violence resulting from widowhood. It adopted the method of field-work through oral interviews extended to some elders and widows in the community. It provided some recommendations as to how widows can be helped by the government, churches and spirited individuals to remain relevant in the society as part of the human species.