The United Nations International Widows Day, observed annually on June 23rd, is a significant occasion that sheds light on the unique challenges faced by widows worldwide. It is a day to recognize their struggles, advocate for their rights, and work towards empowering them. The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), the renowned humanitarian organization founded by Chris Oyakhilome, has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at supporting the indigent and improving their lives.
A Foundation Built on Compassion
The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International, founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of people around the world. Guided by a vision of compassion and love, COFI focuses on various areas of humanitarian assistance, including healthcare, education, and welfare support.
COFI recognizes the unique challenges faced by widows and the importance of addressing their needs. International Widows Day provides an opportunity for COFI to reaffirm its commitment to improving the lives of widows and empowering them to become self-reliant through education and skills training.
COFI understands the pivotal role that education and skills training plays in empowering widows. The foundation has initiated numerous programs to provide educational opportunities, vocational training, and entrepreneurship skills to widows. By equipping them with knowledge and skills, COFI enables widows to gain financial independence and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
COFI recognizes the economic hardships faced by widows and extends financial and material support to alleviate their burdens.
COFI aims to achieve SDGs
As the 5th sustainable development goal (SDG), gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
The social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has made reaching this goal by 2030 unlikely.
Women’s health services, already poorly funded, have faced major disruptions. Violence against women remains endemic. And despite women’s leadership in responding to COVID-19, they still trail men in securing the decision-making positions they deserve.
Healthcare and Emotional Support
COFI acknowledges the importance of holistic support for widows. The foundation provides access to healthcare services, including medical check-ups, screenings, and treatment, ensuring that widows receive adequate healthcare support. Additionally, COFI offers emotional support programs, and counseling services, and creates support networks to address the emotional and psychological needs of widows.
International Widows Day serves as a platform for COFI to raise awareness about the issues widows and females face. Through various programs, COFI works at empowering young female leaders to become agents of change in finding solutions to challenges facing their various societies. Through media campaigns, educational events, and community outreach, COFI challenges societal stigmas, promotes gender equality, and fosters a more inclusive society.
On International Widows Day, the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) stands as a beacon of hope for widows around the world. Through its compassionate initiatives, COFI empowers widows, providing them with educational opportunities, skills training, financial support, and healthcare assistance. By raising awareness and advocating for widows’ rights, COFI plays a vital role in challenging societal norms and fostering a more equitable world. As COFI commemorates International Widows Day, it reinforces its commitment to improving the lives of widows, offering them hope, dignity, and a pathway to a brighter future.
