Fact Sheet

• In 1856 during the British colonization, they recognized the widows’ right to remarry and their right to their husband’s inheritance.
• During the war for Independence (1947), Gandhi pleaded for the dignity of Hindi widows.
• In 1956-69 laws that recognize gender equality concerning rights to inheritance were established.
• These laws have not been enacted in all the states in India nor in every family.
• In 1996 the National Commission for Women, which is part of the Central Government, studied the situation of the widows at the behest of the Mohini Giri.
• 1998 saw the creation of the Guild of Service by Aamar Bari in Vrindavan which would provide shelter for 100 widows.
• In 2002 the first International Conference on widows in South Asia was held. Meera Khan, event organizer, said “In India we treat widowhood as a kind of aberration, not as a natural event in the lives of two people.”
• In 2004 the AKSHAYA PATRA foundation contributed some free food and some money (5/10 Rs) in exchange for BHAJANS (devotional songs).
• On November 17th, 2008 the Supreme Court called for an inquiry by the National Commission for Women into the lives of the abandoned widows of Vrindavan.
• In 2009 the NGO SOS Mujer was created to provide assistance in health, legal, and psychological matters to the widows of Vrindavan. SOS Mujer helps the widows find shelter for themselves and provides them with the basic medical staples. The women are forming teams of nurses who will become educated and eventually serve the other widows in the area.

According to the most recent research (2004)

• There are 35 million widows in India; 20,000 of whom live in the holy city of Vrindavanei, Uttar Pradesh. 25% of these women receive the state pension which is a mere 150 Rupees (64 Rs = 1 euro) a month. It’s one of the lowest in all of India.
• 43% have a Ration Card. Despite their misery, most are only able to buy kerosene at controlled prices, not food.
• 24% have a non-interest bearing bank account of around 2000-3000 Rs which is set aside to cover the costs of burial rites at death as prescribed by the religion.
• 39% of women in India are married at just 12 years old. 47% are between 12 and 17 years old.
• Widows between 20 to 30 years of age are not forced to shave their heads or dress in white.
• 55% live in shelters or foundations, but they must pay for these accommodations.
• The majority are natives from West Bengal provinces or Uttar Pradesh. They survive by begging and singing devotional songs. Most are high-caste Brahmins and Vaisyas.