Widow-Friendly
Kozhikode
Background
In Kerala, widows often face a range of challenges, from social exclusion to economic insecurity. In Kozhikode, over 25,000 widows rely on pension schemes, but many continue to face social, cultural, emotional, and health-related difficulties. The Widow-Friendly Kozhikode Initiative, supported by the District Administration under the leadership of Tej Lohit Reddy IAS and local bodies, aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment where widows can access essential services like legal aid, healthcare, education, and financial support. The initiative’s overarching goal is to transform Kozhikode into the first widow-friendly district in the country.
The Widow-Friendly Kozhikode Initiative is a comprehensive effort to address the multi-faceted challenges faced by widows in the district. The project aims to provide them with legal aid, financial assistance, education, and mental health support. This initiative works to empower widows by helping them reclaim their dignity, social status, and independence. A key component of the initiative was the development of the Jeevika Handbook, which serves as a valuable resource by providing detailed information on government welfare schemes and the application processes. This handbook was created as a result of a survey conducted by the Women Protection Office, which studied the condition of widows in Kozhikode District, providing crucial insights into their needs. The survey revealed that many widows were unaware of the various schemes available to them. To bridge this knowledge gap, the Jeevika Handbook was developed to guide widows in accessing support. The initiative also works to break the social stigma surrounding widowhood and provides psychosocial support to ensure widows feel valued and integrated into society.
