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Property Secured for Zambian Widow after Husband's Death
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Friday, 30 May 2008

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – After her husband’s sudden death in a car accident, Maureen’s brother-in-law was appointed administrator to the home she and her husband had shared. Though Zambian law provides for women to be named administrators of their own property, a male relative is frequently given the position. Serving as administrator can give unscrupulous perpetrators a veneer of legality for the criminal practice of land grabbing – after being named administrator, relatives can use the role to unlawfully strip the widow and orphans of their property.

Maureen’s mother-in-law, hostile in the aftermath of her son’s death, baselessly accused Maureen of killing her husband and made plans to move from her own home into Maureen’s. Her mother-in-law’s demands escalated quickly, and she was soon insisting that Maureen turn over to her even the bed and bedding that she and her husband had used.

Maureen was powerless. She was mocked and abused by her husband’s relatives as they withheld from her what was rightfully hers.
Maureen’s brother-in-law, acting as administrator for the property, moved into Maureen’s home and took control of the family’s car. Maureen soon discovered that he had also collected on the death benefits paid by her husband’s former employer without disbursing the funds to Maureen and her children as intended. As her husband’s family continued to seize her assets, Maureen began to worry about her ability to make ends meet and to pay for her children’s schooling.

Only after Maureen begged her brother-in-law repeatedly did he consent to give her a small fraction of the death benefits that had been intended for her and her children. She was dependent on him to provide additional money from the sum for her children’s school fees and other necessities. Maureen was powerless. She was mocked and abused by her husband’s relatives as they withheld from her what was rightfully hers.

Maureen learned about IJM Zambia’s work on behalf of widows in her position and approached the office to seek legal advice. IJM staff informed her of her rights and held mediations with Maureen’s family to explain the laws designed to protect widows like Maureen – and the consequences for breaking them. Through these meetings, IJM staff were able to ensure that Maureen and her children were safe in their home and could access their own financial assets. After regaining control of her property, Maureen was able to make the decision to move out of the home, making it available to rent as a source of sustainable income.

Maureen is not the only woman to be victimized by property grabbing – nor is she the only woman to overcome it. IJM Zambia is working to help individual victims like Maureen, while educating women vulnerable to this abuse through trainings and other public campaigns. Joy Chasa, Community Relations Coordinator for IJM Zambia, explains, “This case is significant in the broad landscape of justice work in that it highlights the struggles that widows go through with administrators in trying to get simple things, like school fees for their children. It is exciting that with the information going out through workshops, radio programs, etc, more and more women are learning about their right to be chosen as administrator for the late husband’s estate.”

Today, Maureen controls her own home and has been offered a job by the company where her husband used to work. She and her children are living in stability, and the IJM Zambia team continues to assist others in her position.

 
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