Widows in Tamil Nadu: In Search of Dignity, Safety, Human Rights and Entitlements

Despite India’s long-standing commitment to gender equality and anti-discrimination laws, deep-rooted gender inequality persists across all societal aspects and throughout women’s lives. This is exacerbated by Brahminical patriarchy and socio-cultural norms that particularly disadvantage widows. In India, over 45 million widows are often viewed as having no right to life post-widowhood, leading to severe deprivation, social isolation, and violence. To address these issues, Kalangarai, a non-governmental organization in Tamil Nadu, has been empowering widows since 2004. It helps them organize into movements to collectively assert their rights and demand equal entitlements from society and the state government. Recognizing a lack of comprehensive data on widows’ conditions, Kalangarai initiated a detailed study in 2022-2023 across 16 districts using mixed research methods. The study aims to raise awareness, influence policymakers, and garner civil society support to improve legal and policy frameworks for widows. The research seeks to ensure widows’ plights remain a priority, advocating for their dignity and rights, and hopes to inspire further research and state action to secure a dignified life for widows.