South Asian Network for
Widows’ Empowerment
in Development
(SANWED)
South Asian Network for
Widows’ Empowerment in
Development (SANWED)
South Asian Network for Widows Empowerment in
Development (SANWED) is a new initiative in the
South Asian region to uphold widows’ human rights in
all aspects of their lives; reduce poverty and
marginalisation and eliminate all forms of social,
cultural, religious, legal and economic discrimination.
SANWED has been formed to
strengthen the
effectiveness of the International WIDOWS FOR
PEACE AND SECURITY network through a strong
regional membership.
Mission
To enable widows to become collective
AGENTS OF CHANGE in the South Asian
region by bringing together the National
Chapters of SANWED under one umbrella.
Vision
The vision of SANWED is a world in
which all widows enjoy their full
human human rights and live with
dignity.
GOAL

The goal of SANWED is that in each
country, a national association of
widows’
groups
should
be
established,
with
branches
or
member associations in every city,
town, village, refugee or IDP camp
so that widows’ know and can obtain
their rights, can access training and
employment, and participate in
decision-making at every level.
SANWED Activities
Activity
Identify
Develop
guidelines
Particulars
national, regional and
international focal points

National
Chapters

to collect information on the SANWED
status of widows through its format through
National Chapters.
Email
SANWED
presentation

to prioritize the issues of
experiences and widowhood for the
promotion and improvement
“best practices” of the status of widows and
their dependents in the
South Asian Region.
Share
Media

Workshops
E-Newsletters

SANWED Activities
Activity
Sensitize
Collate
data
Particulars
South Asian governments
international community
about the key role of
widows as valuable “social
capital” in peace,
development and equality.


for wider dissemination
Media

Meetings
Research
Analyze
Compile

SANWED Activities
Activity
Particulars
Media
Website
E newsletter
Publications
Annual Report
- Country Status
- Status/Statistics
Report
- Profile of Single
Widow Achievers
Workshops/ Conferences
Meetings
Regional Radio Network
Videos/Visual
Documentation

information
related to the
status of widows
to SAARC
secretariat,
UNDAW, UNIFEM,
UNDP, UNHCHR,
OSAGI and other
relevant agencies.

Disseminate
SANWED Activities
Activity
Particulars
Coordinate lobby respective
Media

governments to adopt
and implement the
Charter for the Rights of
Widows, presented at the
49th Session of the UN
CSW in March 2005.
Capacity
Building
to develop a common
understanding of
strategies to overcome
obstacles, meet
challenges and provide
guidelines to implement
the National Action Plans.

National Chapters
Trainings
Exchange programs

SANWED Activities
Activity
Particulars

Network

prioritize the issues
of widowhood in the
context of reducing
poverty and violence
to women .
promote human
rights, justice and
peace, in national,
regional and
international agenda.
Media
Widows empowerment
groups in other regions
of the world eg Africa,
Latin America, Middle
East
SAARC Secretariat
CEDAW Committee
UN Human Rights
Commission
Human Rights Geneva
Social Welfare Council
INGO's/NGO's

SANWED Activities
Activity
Resource
Fund
Particulars
Media
To enable widows
access to financial
resources

Honouring To honour widow
Achievers achievers
National
Chapters


1.
2.
3.
4.
The main functions of SANWED
Develop guidelines to collect information on the
status of widows through its National Chapters.
Collate data for wider dissemination.
Share experiences and “best practices” for the
promotion and improvement of the status of
widows and their dependents in the South Asian
Region.
Network with widows’ empowerment groups in
other regions of the world to prioritize the issues of
widowhood, in the context of reducing poverty and
violence to women, promoting human rights,
justice and peace, in national, regional and
international agenda.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Coordinate with National Chapters to lobby their
respective governments to adopt and implement
the Charter for the Rights of Widows, presented
at the 49th Session of the UN CSW in March
2005.
Sensitize South Asian governments and the
international community about the key role of
widows as valuable “social capital” in peace,
development and equality.
Disseminate information related to the status of
widows to SAARC Secretariat, UNDAW, UNIFEM,
UNDP, UNHCHR, OSAGI and other relevant
agencies.
Identify national, regional and international focal
points.
Capacity Building of National Chapters to develop
a common understanding of strategies to
overcome obstacles, meet challenges and provide
guidelines to implement the National Action Plans.
The SANWED National Chapters will
focus on the following Activities



Collect data on the status of widows
through participatory mapping and
profiling, involving widow groups as
key resources.
Prepare Regular Activity Reports to
share experiences and “best
practices” for the promotion and
improvement of the status of
widows and their dependents.
Sensitize national governments and
the communities about the key role
of widows as valuable “social
capital” in peace, development and



Lobby their respective governments to
adopt and implement the Charter for
the Rights of Widows, presented at the
49th Session of the UN CSW in March
2005.
Lobby, sensitize and create awareness
among policy planners for
mainstreaming widow’s agenda in the
national policies and plans.
Establish National Resource Centers
with help lines to provide widows with
information on support services.

Prepare National Action Plan
• Identify : organizations committed to work for
widows
• Categorize: statutory, voluntary, religious,
self help, micro credit, legal, relief
• Invite these organizations to join National
Chapters
• Prioritize issues within the framework of
CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Action, Human
Rights Instruments, SCR, Resolution 1325
(2000)*
• Develop National Action Plan with timeline
• CSW website available on UN website
THANK YOU