subscribe: Posts | Comments

Tiger Widows fight exclusion

0 comments

Summary of a story from Der Spiegel Online International, 10.02.11

In southwestern Bangladesh losing a husband to a tiger is a common fear – the large cats regularly kill forestry workers.

The workers’ wives not only lose their partner, but they are ostracized for being bringers of bad luck.

Over the years authorities have documented over 1,000 women who have lost their husbands to tigers. The real count is likely to be  much higher.

This growing group of women created the Tiger Widow Association, to help support both themselves and each other. At their meetings the women learn how to farm rice and vegetables and take their produce to market. They are also planning sewing classes and intend to apply for microloans to purchase sewing machines.

Children of Tiger Widows are also ostracized and made fun of at school. To solve that problem a separate school was created a year ago. Students spend three hours a day in class then go home to help their mothers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *