Sally Othihiwa is a highly accomplished professional with over two decades of experience spanning law, real estate, and social entrepreneurship. Holding law degrees from the University of Benin and the Nigerian Law School, she is the Managing Director of AUZ Group, a leading real estate firm in Lagos. Her expertise covers litigation, property brokerage, investment, and development entrepreneurship. A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Notary Public, Othihiwa has received numerous accolades for her impactful work, including induction into the Fellowship Hall of Fame of CIPRMP, the Afrimact Icon Award 2024, and the African Leader of Integrity Merit Award 2023. She is also a UN Ambassador for Peace, Justice & Human Rights. She runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Tender Hearts Foundation. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, she reflects on the significance of International Widows Day and sheds light on the harsh realities many widows face in Nigeria, particularly in rural or underserved communities. She also explores the systemic and cultural barriers that continue to hinder widows from accessing the care, support, and justice they rightfully deserve. Excerpts:
What does International Widows Day mean to the Tender Hearts Foundation and Nigeria? How do you commemorate it each year?
International Widows Day is an auspicious Day for us and the world globally that Widows are celebrated. The strength and the resilience that has been demonstrated over the years through deep grief.
Can you describe the current realities widows face in Nigeria, especially in rural or underserved communities?
There are numerous plights the widows face, ranging from cultural practices and sometimes dehumanising treatment to stigmatisation.
In what ways has the loss of a spouse disproportionately affected women’s access to healthcare and financial independence?
In most homes, the spouses are the breadwinner and financial strength of the family and in a situation where by wife ( widow) suddenly becomes the breadwinner, the family plunges into sudden loss of balance and will be unable to adequately take care of the health in case of a medical condition.
What are the most pressing health challenges facing widows in Nigeria today, physically, emotionally, and mentally?
I will answer from the experiences and cases we have seen in our outreaches for the less privileged and vulnerable widows. Ignorance, lack of adequate medical care, emotional and psychological abuse and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
How has Tender Hearts Foundation addressed issues such as access to maternal care, cancer screenings, or mental health support for widows?
Tender Hearts Foundation’s medical outreaches are preliminary vital checks, and in our last event, international widows, we were able to give out high blood pressure and multivitamins and widows were encouraged to seek medical help and check their BP.
Do you see a link between poverty, stigma, and poor health outcomes among widows? How do you respond to this in your programming?
Absolutely, there is a link, and what we do at THF is give soft loans so they can trade and encourage them to give their health adequate attention and to speak out. Another thing is the isolation that they faced.
What are some systemic or cultural barriers that prevent widows from receiving the care they need?
Sometimes, cultural beliefs and deprivation play a part, and fear of not having funds can inhibit medical treatment.
How is Tender Hearts Foundation working to break these barriers?
Tender Hearts Foundation is actively addressing the barriers faced by vulnerable and underprivileged girls and women, including widows and single mothers, through a multifaceted approach centred on advocacy, partnerships, community mobilisation, and public awareness. Our mission is to empower these women by implementing targeted livelihood programs, providing business support, advocating against gender-based violence and inequity, and conducting sensitisation campaigns. We also offer direct food assistance and material donations to support their immediate needs.
We collaborate with community leaders to identify and reach the women most in need, while also receiving financial support from partnering organisations that share our vision.
In terms of legal reform, while we are not a legal institution per se, we actively raise awareness about relevant laws and highlight recent court decisions that advance the rights of women. Though there is still much work to be done, we are making meaningful progress and remain committed to the journey ahead.
I can only speak of what we are able to achieve via our medical outreach and the awareness and medical support in those areas I earlier have been tremendous. I can only speak of what we are able to achieve via our medical outreach and the awareness and medical support in those areas I earlier have been tremendous.
What policy changes would you like to see from the Nigerian government to improve widows’ access to health and social support?
Free health care services.
Have you engaged with lawmakers or public institutions to push for widow-sensitive health reforms or inclusion in social protection programs?
Not really, not on a formal level, informal, yes, there have been some engagement and interactions
How do you measure the impact of your work in improving widows’ health and breaking stigma?
We are contributing our quota, so we have been able to help over 250 girls and women. Within our community, we have 100 that have benefited from our empowerment initiatives and the number of countries. We have given some grinding machines to over 100 women for small businesses. The more women who can help and sustain themselves financially, the less stigmatised they feel.
What new initiatives is the Tender Hearts Foundation launching to support widows in 2025 and beyond?
We have educational scholarship support, which is new, and we are hoping to get some partners so we can kick-start it.
How can the public, private sector, and international partners better support the health and dignity of widows in Nigeria?
Support can begin with increased donations to NGOs and community-based organisations that are actively addressing the specific needs of widows. These contributions should be targeted and strategic, focusing on areas such as healthcare, economic empowerment, legal aid, and psychosocial support.
Beyond financial support, there must be a collective shift in societal attitudes. Widows are mothers, sisters, wives, cousins; they exist in every family. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to treat them with dignity and compassion, and to offer both emotional and material support where possible.
Policy makers, legal institutions, and traditional leaders also have a critical role to play. Culture is not static; it evolves. When laws and cultural practices are reformed to eliminate harmful widowhood rites and bridge gender inequality, society becomes more just and inclusive. A united effort across all sectors can help build a safer, fairer environment where widows are empowered, not marginalised.
Can you share a story of a widow who overcame adversity and rebuilt her life with support from the foundation?
Yes, there are many. However, a particular young widow from Lagos Island with 5 children is someone today who encourages me. She couldn’t feed the children, and two were out of school, but with our thrift cycle initiative, we were able to give some loans to start a small business. She was committed and diligent, and very hard working, and with a space of about 4 years, she is better off and able to do a lot. The children are all back to school, and she is happy. She cried the very day we contacted her. She has stopped crying now. And many others I can not mention.
What keeps you hopeful in this work, even in the face of structural and societal challenges?
Gradually, we are getting support and acceptance and the passion to impact is actually what keeps me going.
