Isolation and Its Impact on Widows: Insights from Low-Resourced Communities in Binga District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The lives of women change immediately after the death of their husbands. After the death of their husbands, they experience extraordinary isolation which excludes them from important socioeconomic decisions. This paper discusses how widows are isolated and excluded in pertinent socioeconomic spheres and decisions that impact negatively on their lives including the lives of their children in low resourced communities of Binga District in Zimbabwe. Twenty-four widows were participants in this study, which used a qualitative research approach, a phenomenological research design and purposive sampling strategy. Ten widows participated in individual interviews whilst fourteen widows participated in two separate focus group interviews comprising seven widows each to provide insights on how they were isolated after the death of their husbands. Germain to isolation, thematic data analysis findings revealed that, upon the death of their husbands, widows are vulnerable to exclusion from critical decisions on accrued wealth, socioeconomic amenities and activities needed for their optimal well-being and the welfare of their children. The findings show the need for negotiated professional and community social interventions that are organised and integrated.

The Violent Aspect of Widowhood Rites in the South African Context

“…Some traditions or rituals may be intended to evoke fear and compliance. Although the findings support Dube's (2022) claims, the in-laws' actions cannot be attributed solely to the widowhood ceremonies. They are the guardians of a custom that has been practiced for many years.…”

“…The in-laws' role in widowhood customs cannot be disregarded because they frequently have a say in them. Dube (2022) argues that in-laws are opportunistic as they use cultural norms to prolong violence against the bereaved widows since isolation is often imposed on the widows by their in-laws. Gender dynamics are important in developing coercive tactics and establishing fear because widows are women.…”

“…According to a study by Ajayi et al (2019), some widowhood rites are harmful to widows on all fronts, including psychologically, physically, socially, and emotionally. Similarly, Dube (2022) concluded that the many forms of isolation that widows suffer have a detrimental impact on the well-being of the widows and their children on a variety of psychological, social, physical, and economic levels. Although the findings are consistent with those of Dube (2022) and Ajayi et al (2019), it may be argued that although the widows in the study emphasised the risks to their health, there was never a case where one was physically hurt due to these ceremonies.…”

“…Similarly, Dube (2022) concluded that the many forms of isolation that widows suffer have a detrimental impact on the well-being of the widows and their children on a variety of psychological, social, physical, and economic levels. Although the findings are consistent with those of Dube (2022) and Ajayi et al (2019), it may be argued that although the widows in the study emphasised the risks to their health, there was never a case where one was physically hurt due to these ceremonies. However, the psychological and emotional repercussions were evident in the interviews when the women were telling their stories.…”

The Trajectory of Depression through Disenfranchised Grief in Young Widows in Times of COVID-19: A Case Report from Rural India

“…The household faces an economic burden due to losing the primary earner and elevated financial responsibilities. These financial burdens and responsibilities tend to fall on women entirely, with little or no assistance from family members [ 39 ]. In rural settings, women/widows have fewer economic resources and endowment as compared to their male counterparts, which makes them more vulnerable to economic consequences and put them at a high risk of mental health problems [ 5 ].…”