The Plight of Widows in India

Despite all the publicity about India turning into an economic and military superpower, the story of widows is a sad commentary on its social realities. The last estimate available say there are approximately 40 million widows in India. Some are elderly, but many were child brides, and widowed within a year or two. A woman only has status if attached to a husband.

If a woman is not financially independent, she's at the mercy of her in-laws or her parents. And if they don't have the will or the resources to take care of her and her children, she's on her own, often on the street. Only 28% of the widows in India are eligible for pensions, and less than 11% actually receive the payments to which they're entitled.

A widow is considered unlucky, so she can't be present at the rituals and celebrations that form such an integral part of India life, such as marriage or birth ceremonies. In some cases even her shadow is considered polluting or offensive to "cleaner" members of society. While a widower can remarry as many times as he likes, a widow cannot remarry irrespective of her age.

India is no doubt changing, but even in the middle of the "silicon" revolution there are still millions of destitute woman who are shunted to the outskirts of society.

Jesus came to give hope to the outcasts of His world. On each mission trip we try to provide widows with basic necessities, as well as spiritual encouragement, and show them there is a loving and living God.

Psalm 68:5 reminds us, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling."

Please pray:
For God's provision for these forgotten Women.
That they discover the love found only through Jesus Christ
That the Indian government would realize the wisdom and experience these women can add to their culture