Worried by the plight of widowhood in our society, CBA Foundation has decided to take the lead role in the campaign against the Repression of Widowhood, stressing that the initiative wasn’t about awards, but about
dignity.
The Organization further said that their effort was about restoring voices that have been silenced, adding “it is about standing for widows in society, often forgotten, and left behind.”
In Nigeria, over 15 million women are widows, with a huge proportion classified as
underprivileged / disadvantaged widows. Many face abuse, exclusion, neglected or accused of
killing their husbands. Some are thrown out of their homes, whereas most are left to survive
alone with children to care for and no one to care for them.
That’s where we stepped in.
What started as a podcast to educate widows on their legal rights became a national movement.
From online awareness to real-life action, we mobilized a Walkathon that inspired everyday
Nigerians to walk in solidarity. We weren’t just raising voices—we were raising support to echo
the pain of disadvantaged widows.
But awareness was never enough. We listened to the cries behind the silence. And we acted.
With the help of five FMCG brands, we delivered:
● Food relief and healthcare to 412 widows across Lagos, Ogun, and Anambra
● Seed funding and financial empowerment for over 20 women to start their own
businesses
● Free healthcare for 202 widows
● 169 children back in school
● Seven impactful podcast episodes reaching over 51,000 listeners
● A sustainable skill-building initiative, Art Piece of Hope, teaching widows tie & dye
fabric making for long-term income
These are not just numbers, they are stories of resilience
This campaign gave them more than resources gave them back hope, dignity, and a future.
And then came the win.
At the Pitcher Awards 2025, The Repression of Widowhood was honored with:
� Silver for Societal Impact in Effectiveness Category – This category celebrates the
measurable impact of creative work. Entries in the Societal Impact subcategory demonstrate
how the campaign drove tangible results, was instrumental to cultural change, social change,
environmental change or was integral to achieving a brand’s purpose.
� Bronze for Non-Profit Organizations in Pitcher for Good Category – This subcategory
recognizes communication or initiative that addresses social or environmental issues created by non-profit organizations or a partnership between a for-profit organization and non-profit
organization.
A proud moment for the CBA Foundation, digitXplus, and for every widow whose life was
touched.
“This recognition is for every woman who thought her story had ended. It’s a reminder that we
see you, we hear you, and we will keep fighting for you,” says Chinwe Bode Akinwande, Founder – CBA Foundation.
Damilola Popoola, Head of Strategy – digitXplus has this to say: “It’s not every day you get to be in the forefront of a vision that truly changes lives. We’re proud of this win, but even prouder of the impact.”
This wasn’t just a campaign, it was a commitment to justice. to humanity. to lasting change.
And we’re not stopping here. We’re walking for hope—until every widow stands tall again, she added.
