The Member of Parliament (MP) for Agotime Ziope, Charles Agbeve, has called for a comprehensive review of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to ensure the automatic inclusion of vulnerable widows as beneficiaries.
According to him, although LEAP remains one of the government’s most important social protection interventions, many widows who clearly fall within vulnerable groups continue to be excluded from the programme, exposing them to extreme economic and health-related hardships.
Mr Agbeve noted that LEAP beneficiaries are entitled to free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage, a critical support mechanism for the poor. However, he questioned who takes responsibility for the healthcare needs of widows who are visibly vulnerable but remain outside the programme due to rigid eligibility requirements.
He stressed the need for policymakers to revisit the eligibility criteria guiding the programme to better reflect realities on the ground. While categories such as persons living with disabilities, indigents, and mothers of twins or triplets are captured under LEAP, the MP argued that the definition of “indigent” is often too technical and fails to adequately represent the lived conditions of many poor households.
Mr Agbeve proposed that widows should be prioritised under the programme without being subjected to lengthy investigations once their status has been established. He suggested that confirmation by community opinion leaders, including chiefs, assembly members, and other recognised local authorities, should be sufficient to validate their vulnerability.
He further highlighted the unique social and cultural challenges widows face in many communities, noting that stigma, traditional practices, and restrictions often make remarriage difficult for widows, unlike widowers who are more readily accepted back into marriage. These challenges, he said, deepen widows’ vulnerability and worsen their socio-economic conditions.
The MP also raised concerns about the health implications of prolonged stress and economic insecurity among widows, citing high blood pressure and other stress-related illnesses as common outcomes. He indicated that sustained support through government interventions such as LEAP, alongside assistance from non-governmental organisations, would go a long way in easing these pressures and improving their overall well-being.
Mr Agbeve called for affirmative action in favour of widows within social protection policies, describing it as both a moral obligation and a development necessity. He emphasised that institutionalising targeted support for widows would not only safeguard their dignity but also strengthen families and communities, ensuring that no vulnerable woman is left behind.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
