Widow Psychosocial Experiences & Their Self-Identity

Nearly half of all women over 65 years in the world are widows. This translates to close to 50% of all households being headed by widows. In this reality, Africa, grappling with poverty, finds her adolescent and young adults, under the care of widows. Often times, social transformative agenda of any society can not overlook the immeasurable contribution of women, and in this case widows. This research, informed by a literature search that found a gap in widows' voices, set to reach out to widows from all walks of life. A total of 42 widows living in Kenya, Africa shared their psychological, spiritual, socioeconomic, human rights as well as cultural experiences relating to their widowhood. These experiences had a significant influence on their self identity.Notable efforts towards improving the self, their significant others, in addition to having major contributions to social transformation, became evident. This work invites widows, scholars and all other persons interested in integral and inclusive human wellness, as well as those having an eye on social transformation, to acquaint themselves with the VOICE OF THE WIDOW.