14/07/2026
International Widows’ Day is held every year on the 23rd of June.
The Day was first initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005, and was officially adopted by the United Nations in 2010. It is a day that shines a light on the challenges widows face globally, from economic hardship to social stigma, and calls for communities to respond with compassion, empowerment, and inclusion.
To mark this day in 2026, the Widows Forum launched the Naomi & Ruth Mentorship Program in Zimbabwe, with the vision of changing the narrative of the African widow, one widow at a time through equipping and empowering widows for impact in reaching out to other widows with the message of hope, faith and love. The launch took place from 17–24 June 2026, bringing together leaders of widows ministries and delegates from six nations, I.e., Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
On arrival at Robert Mugabe International Airport, delegates were warmly received and travelled to Masvingo, where preparations began for outreach programs, community engagements, and the official launch of the mentorship initiative. These days were filled with equipping, learning, and preparation of leaders through a powerful time of fellowship and vision casting.
As I share my journey of the mentorship launch, I would like to honour Gracious Magodoro Chifamuna, the visionary leader of the Widows Forum, whose tireless efforts and compassionate leadership made this programme possible. Her dedication to widows across Africa continues to inspire and uplift. As a leader of the Still She Rises Ministry for widows, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside her.
This journey was not just about events, but about hearts united in purpose. I look forward to sharing the day by day experiences we had from 17–26 June, to capture the spirit of this wonderful mission. (Pictures show day 1's morning training conference in preparation for our outreach activities)
