Socio- Cultural Challenges for Widows: A Case Study in district Lahore, Punjab

Abstract

This research study focuses on the socio-cultural problems faced by widows in the district of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, and the current causes of their defame helplessness and disdainful status while living in their own community and facing barriers. The stigma around widows played a significant role in their marginalization within society and the community. This limited the widow’s views and caused her to be destitute in life. We used a purposeful sampling method in this qualitative research study. We collected information from the twenty respondents through in-depth interviews. The aim of the in-depth interview is to address the socio-cultural problems posed by widows in Lahore. The respondents’ widows were of lower socio-economic status. The results of the study show that a widow is waiting for a new challenge every day; however, widows do have some opportunities like financial assistance and skill development through government institutions as well as the private sector. They become victims of stereotypical ideas and face many social and cultural problems, such as violence, family indifference, poverty, depression, etc. A widow is fighting for her freedom, but there is no awareness. This study proposed potential strategies to tackle the social and cultural issues faced by widows, including raising media awareness through drama and setting up an economic package system for widows.