Remarriage after spousal death: options facing widows and implications for livelihood security

Abstract

Remarriage following the death of a spouse has important implications for individual and household livelihoods in rural areas. Research in the Caprivi Region of Namibia found that while widowers commonly remarry, the ‘traditional’ option open to women through widow inheritance has been outlawed. While forcing widows off the land is now prohibited, socio-cultural pressures, the status of the woman's children, and a lack of basic support from the late husband's relatives can result in a more subtle form of property disinheritance. In addition to upheaval caused by relocation, many widows are limited in undertaking livelihood activities, constrained in their capacity to engage in profitable income-earning opportunities, and heavily reliant on the support of others.

Notes

1. Oppong (2006) suggests figures as high as 25 per cent amongst adult women.

2. Where livelihood opportunities are agreed to be more advantageous in the woman's village, it is possible for the man to move. However, all men interviewed felt this was undesirable and undermined their power within the relationship.

3. This article examines the ways in which customary and civil law influence people's attitudes towards, and experiences of, gender equality and sexual health. Particular focus is placed on the contradictory outcomes of bride-wealth payments. While these payments can help women secure assets and status as a wife, they can also undermine their power within marriage.

4. The national census recorded 263 unmarried widowers compared with 2222 unmarried widows.

5. Mayolo helped to purify widows who were considered polluted.

6. Names have been changed to ensure participant anonymity.

7. At the time of the research this was known as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare.

8. While cases of land grabbing were reported, many widows returned to their natal village and were able to claim land via their fathers. In such cases, there was little difference in the amount of land available to men and women.

9. The livelihoods survey recorded only four households in which women had enough cash to pay for regular male labourers.

10. Those who did not report a decline in income had either qualified for a pension subsequent to their husband's death or had started receiving remittances from their children.

11. It was widely claimed that those who did remarry were the poorest and most vulnerable widows who engaged in ‘risky’ relationships to improve livelihood prospects.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Felicity Thomas

Felicity Thomas is working as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow pursuing research on HIV and AIDS impact, treatment access, care, and well-being. Postal address: Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, 27–28 Woburn Square, London, WC1H 0AA. Fax: [phone]