UN Women and the Loomba Foundation join forces to empower widows in three continents

A new partnership between UN Women and the Loomba Foundation will promote the empowerment of widows through global advocacy and economic empowerment projects in three countries – Guatemala, Malawi, and India.

UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri speaks at the dinner event in London. Photo credit: The Loomba Foundation

The partnership was announced at a dinner in London organised by the Loomba Foundation and attended by Cherie Blair, President of the Loomba Foundation, and UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri. Lord Raj Loomba, Founder and Chairman Trustee of the Loomba Foundation, has been a strong advocate for the plight of widows and at the forefront of campaigning for the creation of International Widows Day to be celebrated on 23 June every year.

Ms Puri hailed the new partnership as “a great example of moving an idea into action”. “Through this partnership, we will work concretely on programmes that create a visible space for widows in their societies and give them the right tools to achieve economic independence,” she said.

There are an estimated 250 million widows globally. In many countries, widows are victims of multiple discrimination and exclusion. UN Women will bring its advocacy power, technical knowledge and presence on the ground to provide better economic opportunities and enhance the voices of widows.

The Loomba Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to assisting and empowering widows around the world. As part of this new partnership of advocacy and action, the Foundation is contributing US$ 1 million over three years.