After the funeral, the real pain begins
For years, many widows in Botswana have suffered in silence. Behind closed doors, they have battled depression, loneliness, financial hardship and stigma while carrying the burden of unimaginable loss.
Some have lost their homes. Others have lost family businesses. Many have been stripped of inheritance by relatives they once trusted.
The most painful wounds, however, are often not financial. “They called me a killer.”
Those words, echoed in testimony after testimony from grieving widows, reveal a harsh reality faced by many women after the death of their husbands.
Some widows say they were publicly accused of causing their spouses’ deaths. Others say they became prisoners in their own homes, unable to face neighbours and relatives after being shamed during funeral proceedings.
Some admit they contemplated ending their own lives.
“There are women who have held ropes, ready to take their own lives, only to be stopped by the thought of their children,” Oreeditse Tagwa says.
She is the founder and chairperson of At the Feet of Jesus Widows and Widowers Society. “It is a pain that many people do not see because it is suffered quietly.”
Those realities will form the backdrop of the International Widows Day Celebration 2026, scheduled for June 23 in Marapoathutlwa Ward, Block 8, under the Gaborone Bonnington North Constituency.
The event is being organised by At the Feet of Jesus Widows and Widowers Society in partnership with the Office of the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington North, Maipelo Mophuting-Dikoloti, with support from Brown Attorneys, Ndiko Muzila and New Era College.
Founded to provide a safe space for widows and widowers navigating grief, At the Feet of Jesus Widows and Widowers Society has become a lifeline for many who felt abandoned after losing their partners.
What began as a support network has grown into a movement dedicated to emotional healing, spiritual restoration and economic empowerment.
According to Tagwa, many widows find themselves isolated from society after bereavement.
“Most widows and their children are suffering from depression. Many seek professional help only when their physical and mental health are already falling apart,” she explains.
The challenges are numerous. Widows often face uncertainty about how to rebuild their lives after losing a breadwinner. Some struggle to access property and inheritance. Others battle financial illiteracy, emotional trauma and discrimination from relatives.
More disturbing are reports of abuse. “Some widows have told us they were sexually abused by people who were supposed to help them during their time of need,” Tagwa says.
Since its formation in 2025, the society has helped members rediscover hope through fellowship, counselling, prayer and mutual support.
Members contribute to assist one another during times of need. They share experiences, cry together, pray together and encourage each other to keep moving forward.
Women who once isolated themselves from community life are now volunteering at public events, serving their communities and supporting others facing similar struggles.
“Many of our members were withdrawn and ashamed because of what had been said to them during their grieving period,” says Tagwa. “Today, they are actively involved in community activities and helping others heal.”
This year’s commemoration will be held under the theme: Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows – The African Perspective.
The theme expands challenges that continue to affect widows across Botswana and the continent. Inheritance disputes, property grabbing, exclusion from financial opportunities, and social discrimination remain common
experiences.
Organisers say the event aims to educate widows about their rights while encouraging communities to become more supportive and understanding. The gathering will also promote a shift from dependency to self-reliance.
Tagwa envisions creating a community marketplace where widows can meet, socialise and trade goods together. “We do not want to always be waiting for handouts,” she says. “We want opportunities to work, do business and support ourselves with dignity.”
The organisation also hopes to expand its work beyond support meetings by adopting vulnerable children and strengthening outreach efforts across communities.
More than 100 widows and widowers are expected to benefit directly from this year’s initiative.