The House of Representatives passed a bill for an Act titled “Widowhood Leave Bill, 2023” during its second reading session on Tuesday.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Said Musa Abdullahi from Bida/gbako/katcha federal constituency of Niger State, aims to implement Widowhood Leave in Nigeria.
Abdullahi, while presenting the bill, highlighted the importance of Widowhood Leave in recognizing the unique struggles faced by widows and widowers. He emphasized that this leave would provide them with the necessary time and space for grieving, seeking counseling, and adapting to their new circumstances. Abdullahi stressed that such support could significantly aid in their emotional healing and resilience.
The proposed bill allows widows to focus on caring for their children and other dependent family members during this challenging period. Abdullahi also mentioned that it enables widows to fulfill certain religious and cultural obligations. For instance, in Islam, a widow is required to observe the iddah (waiting period) for four months and ten days. During this time, she is exempt from attending events outside her home and interacting with unrelated men.
Abdullahi pointed out that widows and widowers in Nigeria often face numerous challenges after losing their spouses. They are frequently left to manage their households and children without assistance, dealing with pressing family matters on their own.
