WELCOME TO KENTERPRO:
PLIGHTS OF WIDOWS IN THE NOVEL LONELY DAYS BY BAYO ADEBOWALE AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The issue of widows’ plight is a complex and longstanding one, with far-reaching implications for women’s development and human rights. The term “widow” refers to a woman who has lost her husband, whether through death, divorce, or separation. In many societies around the world, widows face significant challenges that often result in stigmatisation, marginalisation and exclusion from mainstream society (Kishor & Gupta, 2004). One of the main challenges that widows face is social exclusion, which often results from cultural beliefs and practises that consider widows to be a burden on society.

In some societies, widows are seen as unlucky or cursed and they may be ostracised or even forced to leave their homes and communities. As a result, widows may find it difficult to access education, employment, healthcare and other essential services, which can significantly limit their opportunities for persona! and economic development. Another challenge that widows face is economic hardship, particularly in societies where women’s economic opportunities are limited. According to Narayan (2000), without the support of a husband or other family members, widows may struggle to provide for themselves and their children and may be forced to rely on charity or engage in informal or exploitation work to survive. This can result in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break, particularly if widows are denied access to education or other resources that could help them improve their economic prospects. The plight of widows also has implications for women’s health and well-being. Without access to healthcare and other essential services, widows may be at increased risk of illness and disease, particularly if they are living in poverty or in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. They may also be more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, including sexual violence, which can have serous physical and psychological consequences (Navarro, 2013). Therefore, the plight of widows is a longstanding issue that has far-reaching implications for women’s development and human rights. Widows face significant challenges, including social exclusion, economic hardship and limited access to essential services, which can significantly limit there opportunities for personal and economic development. Addressing the challenges faced by widows requires a multifaceted approach that involves addressing cultural beliefs and practises that contribute to their marginalisation, increasing their access to education and other resources and promoting their economic and social empowerment.

Widows around the world face numerous forms of discrimination and social exclusion that limit their access to resources and opportunities. One of the most pressing issues for widows is the discriminatory inheritance laws and practises that exclude them from their husband’s property and assets. In many societies, women are not allowed to inherit property or assets from their husbands, which can leave them without a source of income and economic security (Kabeer & Subrahmanian, 2013). In many cases, widows are blamed for their husband’s death and are seen as a burden to their families and communities. They may be subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse and may even be forced into marriage or prostitution to survive. This situation is compounded by poverty and a lack of access to basic resources, which can leave widows vulnerable to hunger, malnutrition and disease. Many widows live in extreme poverty and lack access to education, healthcare and other essential services. They may struggle to provide for themselves and their children and may be forced to rely on charity or engage in informal labour, which is often exploitative and poorly paid.

The plight of widows is a pervasive issue that affects women’s development across the world. When a woman becomes a widow, she often faces significant social, economic and cultural barriers that hinder her ability to fully participate in society. According to Jolley and Witte (2018), widows may be excluded from education and employment opportunities, limiting their potential and ability to contribute to the development of their families, communities and nations. The exclusion of widows from education is particularly damaging. Without access to education, widows may lack the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their lives and those of their families. Education is also a key factor in reducing poverty and promoting economic growth, as educated women are more likely to secure well-paying jobs and invest in their families’ futures. Moreover, when widows are excluded from employment opportunities, they often struggle to make ends meet and provide for their families. According to Buchler (2014), in many cultures, widows are stigmatised and face discrimination in the workplace, further limiting their economic, opportunities. This exclusion perpetuates gender inequality and reinforces the notion that women are inferior to men. The plight of widows also has significant implications for women’s empowerment. When widows are excluded from education, employment and other opportunities, they are unable to realise their full potential and contribute to the development of their families, communities and nations. This exclusion perpetuates gender inequality and hinders efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The denial of widows’ access to their husbands’ property and assets is a common practise in many parts of the world. This is often due to cultural or religious beliefs that view widows as being inferior to men or as having no right to inherit their husband’s assets. When widows are denied their rightful inheritance, they are left without the financial means to support themselves. and their families, which can have long-term effects on their well-being. Widows who are denied access to their husband’s property and assets are at a higher risk of poverty. This poverty can have intergenerational effects, as it often leads to a lack of access to education, healthcare and other essential services for their children. Children of widows who are living in poverty may be forced to drop out of school or work to support their families, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and exclusion. According to Ahearn (2010), this can limit their future prospects and opportunities, as they may not have the necessary education and skills to succeed in life. Moreover, poverty can also lead to a range of other negative outcomes for widows and their families. It can lead to poor health outcomes, as families may not be able to afford basic healthcare or nutritious food. Poverty can also increase the risk of exploration and abuse, as widows may be forced into prostitution o¢ other forms of work that are harmful to their well-being.

Lonely Days is a poignant novel by Bayo Adebowale that explores the plight of widows in a rural Yoruba community in Nigeria. The story follows the life of Yaremi, a middle-aged woman who.is widowed after a long and happy marriage. Yarerni’s husband, Ajyumobi, dies suddenly, leaving her to cope with the loss of her husband and the challenges of widowhood. In traditional Yoruba society, widows are often stigmatised and subjected to a range of discriminatory practises. They are seen as bringers of bad luck and are ostracised from the community. According to Banerjee (2013), widows are also denied access to basic resources such as land and are often forced to depend on their male relatives for support. These practises not only affect the lives of individual widows but also have wider implications for the development of women in the community. Bayo Adedowale’s Lonely Days, therefore, offers a critical commentary on the plights of widows and their implications for women’s development in the Yoruba community. The novel highlights the challenges that widows face, including social isolation, economic hardship and the denial of their rights. Through the character of Yaremi, the novel also shows how widows can resist these challenges and assert their agency.

It is in line with the above discuss that this study seeks to examine the plights of widows and its implication on women development in Lonely Days by Bayo Adebowale.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The novel Lonely Days by Bayo Adebowale depicts the plights of widows in a rural Nigerian community and explores how they experiences affect women’s development. Despite progress in women’s rights and gender equality, widows in many societies continue to face discrimination, stigmatisation and marginalisation, which can have a significant impact on their, well-being and social and economic empowerment, in “Lonely Days,” the author portrays the struggles of a widow, Yaremi and other widows in her community, highlighting the cultural and traditional practises that contribute to their plight. The problem this study seeks to identify is the implications of widowhood on women’s development in the context of the novel, considering the social, cultural, economic and psychological factors that hinder or facilitate their empowerment. The study aims to explore how the experiences of widows in Lonely Days reflect broader issues of gender inequality and to propose strategies for addressing the challenges faced by widows and promoting women’s development in rural communities.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the plights of widows in the novel Lonely Days by Bayo Adebowale and their implications for women’s development. Specifically, the study aims to:

1. Analyse the cultural and traditional practices that contribute to the discrimination and: marginalisation of widows in the novel’s rural Nigerian community.
2. Investigate the social, economic and psychological challenges faced by widows in the novel and their impact on women’s development.
3. Explore the strategies employed by widows in the novel to cope with their situation and achieve empowerment.
4. Propose recommendations for addressing the challenges faced by widows and promoting women’s development in rural communities based on the novel’s themes and insights.

1.4. Research Questions

The study was guided by the following research questions:

1. What are the cultural and traditional practices that contribute to the discrimination and marginalisation of widows in the rural Nigerian community depicted in Lonely Days by Bayo Adebowale?
2. What are the social, economic and psychological challenges faced by widows in the novel and how do these challenges impact women’s development?
3. What strategies do widows in Lonely Days employ to cope with their situation and achieve empowerment?
4. What recommendations can be proposed for addressing the challenges faced by widows and promoting women’s development in rural communities?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study will lie in its contribution to the understanding of the plights of widows and their implications for women’s development in rural communities, as depicted in the novel Lonely Days by Bayo Adebowale.

Firstly, the study will shed light on the cultural and traditional practices that will contribute to the discrimination and marginalisation of widows, highlighting the need for cultural sensitivity in addressing gender inequalities in rural communities.

Secondly, the study will provide insights into the social, economic and psychological challenges that widows face and their impact on women’s development, which will inform interventions to enhance women’s well-being and empowerment in similar contexts.

Thirdly, the study will explore the strategies that widows can employ to cope with their situation and achieve empowerment, offering lessons for other women who will face similar challenges.

Furthermore, the study will propose recommendations for addressing the challenges faced by widows and promoting women’s development in rural communities, based on the novel’s themes and insights, which can guide policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing effective interventions.

Finally, when this study is completed, it will serve as a source of reference material for future researchers. That is, it will add to the already existing body of knowledge on plights of widows and its implication on their development.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study will be limited to the analysis of Bayo Adebowale’s novel Lonely Days and its portrayal of the plights of widows. The study will not examine widows’ experiences outside the context of the novel or compare the experiences of widows in different cultural or societal contexts. Additionally, the study will not focus on the broader topic of women’s development but will instead examine the specific implications of the plights of widows on women’s development as portrayed in the novel.”

17 Operational Definitions of Terms

Plights of widows: Refers to the various challenges and difficulties faced by women who have lost their husbands, including but not limited to social stigmatisation, economic and financial challenges and psychological and emotional trauma.

Women’s development: Refers to the process of improving the status and well-being of women in society through various means, including but not limited to education, economic empowerment and access to healthcare and other social services.

Cultural stigmatisation: Refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes held by a society’ towards a particular group of people based on their cultural or social identity, in this case, widows. Economic and financial challenges: Refers to the difficulties and obstacles faced by widows in accessing and managing financial resources, including but not limited to limited access to credit and employment opportunities.

Psychological and emotional trauma: Refers to the mental and emotional distress experienced by widows as a result of the loss of their husbands and the various challenges they face, including but not limited to depression, anxiety and social isolation.

Societal institutions: Refers to the various organisations and structures within society that influence and shape the behavior and attitudes of individuals and groups, including but not limited to government agencies, religious institutions and community-based organisations.

1.8 Theoretical Framework

The novel Lonely Days by Bayo Adebowale portrays the challenges and plights of widows in the Yoruba community of Nigeria. The book highlights the negative effects of harmful cultural practices, such as the maltreatment of widows and the deprivation of their rights, on the development and well-being of women. The theoretical framework that can be used to analyse this issue is Feminist Theory. Feminist Theory is a sociological perspective that focuses on gender inequality and the oppression of women. The theory views the social, political and economic status of women as inferior to men and aims to eliminate discrimination against women. In the case of Lonely Days, the novel highlights the patriarchal nature of the Yoruba culture and the marginalisation of women, particularly widows. The novel also reveals the impact of gender inequality on women’s development. The deprivation of the rights of widows to inherit their husband’s property and the maltreatment they face from their husband’s family result in the. economic and social disempowerment of women. As a result, women are unable to develop their full potential, participate in decision-making, or contribute to the development of their community. Moreover, the novel highlights the significance of education in the empowerment of women. Education serves as a tool for women’s empowerment, allowing them to acquire knowledge, skills and expertise necessary for their development. However, the cultural practices portrayed in Lonely Days hinder women’s access to education and limit their opportunities for growth.

In conclusion, Feminist Theory provides a theoretical framework for analyzing the plights of widows in Lonely Days and the implications on women’s development. The theory emphasises the need to eliminate gender inequality and promote women’s empowerment through education, economic and social inclusion.