In many parts of India when a woman’s husband dies, the only thing that made her an honorable woman is gone.  And it is the widow who carries blame and shame because of this. In her time of need, she is often declared cursed and is rejected by her neighbors, community, and even her own family. She now bears the sole responsibility of providing for any children she may have.

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Many other mothers find themselves suddenly alone as well, but not because of death. A husband may vanish without warning because he’s discontent with the family’s financial condition or with his wife. Now she’s left in poverty to care for their children alone.

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Currently, these women are typically daily wage laborers the very group hit hardest by the government shutdown recently instituted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Already struggling to feed their families with their meager earnings, they were suddenly unable to work.