Indian-origin philanthropist, Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Founder and Chairman Trustee of the UN-accredited global NGO, The Loomba Foundation, was the Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the Annual Luncheon of the United Nations Delegations hosted by the Hospitality Committee at the University Club in New York on Wednesday, 11th May 2016.
The luncheon is attended by members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials from the United Nations, UN supporters, business leaders and other eminent individuals. Lord Loomba was invited to be the keynote speaker because his important message raising awareness about the plight of widows is essential for furthering and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Many members of HCUN have also supported Lord Loomba ever since he first came to New York in 2005 to launch International Widows Day.
As a result of an active campaign by the Loomba Foundation, in partnership with Permanent Representatives from UN member states and their governments, the 65th United Nations General Assembly designated June 23rd as International Widows Day on December 22nd 2010 to draw the world’s attention to the plight of widows. June 23rd is also the day Lord Loomba’s mother became a widow at 37 in Punjab in India in 1954, when he was only 10 years.
In addressing guests at the luncheon, Lord Loomba pointed out that widows suffer, not just because they are women, but because they are widows. Thus, they are victims of double discrimination. Widows are ostracised, exploited, harassed and victims of multiple forms of violence.
In South Asia, due to religious beliefs widows are often stigmatized and considered evil and inauspicious people. Forced to depend upon relatives and a community that ill-treats them, they suffer physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
In Africa, unjust “customary laws” persist in many communities, even when national laws and constitutions appear to proffer justice and equality. Apart from losing their wealth, widows face degrading treatment and are prevented from earning a living.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need to mince words,” he told the gathering. “In more places than not, widowhood means denial of basic human rights. Widows become social outcasts, and, with their children, are the most vulnerable and poorest of the poor amongst us.” he added.
Lord Loomba also pointed out that The Foundation’s latest Global Widows Report 2015 reveals growing numbers of widows and struggles they face, especially in the developing world. There are now 259 million widows, up 9% since 2010, and 584 million dependants worldwide. The humanitarian situation faced by widows and their children has worsened in the past few years, due to factors such as armed conflict, instability in the Middle East and north Africa, the Ebola epidemic and increasing HIV infections.
“As friends and supporters of the UN, let us leave today with renewed commitment to the development agenda of the UN, and vow to make the world a better place for all our fellow beings, especially widows,” he urged.
