Beyond the Veil: Voices of Young Widows in South Africa

Abstract

This article outlines the experiences of young widows in southern Africa and the impact of widowhood on their livelihoods. Despite numerous human rights frameworks addressing women’s issues, widowhood has not received adequate attention in the Global South. Widows often endure terrible and abusive treatment during widowhood. This study focuses on women’s perspectives by examining the impact of widowhood issues through case studies. The data were obtained from interviews conducted in a larger study on widowhood issues in South Africa. It explores the experiences and challenges five young widows face, analyses societal perceptions of widowhood, and examines the familial imperatives surrounding widowhood. Intersectionality theory was adopted in this article. The results show that young widows face serious inheritance challenges and abuse at the hands of their in-laws. Because the young widows viewed widowhood rites as part of their culture, they were not opposed to them.