Margaret Owen, Director of Widows for peace and Democracy, is petitioning the CEDAW Committee regarding the plight of widows. In very many countries they face severe lifelong discrimination, much of it originating in fear of who will support them, but exacerbated by tradition and superstition. Margaret is petitioning CEDAW to issue a General Recommendation, as a matter of special concern, that widows be added to the subjects listed in the Beijing Platform for Action.

I have sent WPD our support for this petition. It is indeed suprising that widows are not specifically mentioned in the Beijing Platform for Action. Their maltreatment in many countries is a long established abuse, and an appalling waste of human potential.