In a society where widowhood often leads to displacement, silence, and suffering, the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) has lit a torch of hope. Through the Mustard Seed Widows Shelter Project, branded under the powerful banner #SheltHer, WRAPA has not only offered shelter but also restored dignity, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose to widows across Nigeria.
Launched in 2023 in partnership with Modern Shelter Systems and Services Limited, the SheltHer project provided rent assistance and advocacy support to 106 vulnerable widows across six Nigerian states: Niger, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory FCT. These women, many at risk of immediate eviction, have been granted more than just shelter, they’ve been given dignity, security, and the space to rebuild their lives. Each intervention was more than just a roof over a woman’s head—it was a lifeline, a new chapter, a chance to breathe again.
“We were close to beign evicted. I was confused, hopeless, and broken,” said Habiba Ibrahim, a widow and mother of four from Gombe State. “When WRAPA supported me, it was the first time someone had ever stood by me since my husband died. It gave me my life back and now I feel safe in my own home, and I don’t have to worry about my Landlord coming to the door anymore
For many women in Nigeria, becoming a widow means inheriting not just grief but systemic stigma and economic hardship. Evictions, job losses, and social ostracization often follow. Without support, countless widows are forced into homelessness or unsafe environments, placing them and their children at greater risk.
The SheltHer project responded to this silent emergency with direct financial assistance, legal support, and policy advocacy. It also gave widows a platform to speak—to reclaim their stories and their rights.
“Being a widow shouldn’t mean being alone. We started SheltHer to say: you matter, you belong, and your community will not abandon you,” said Saudatu Mahdi, WRAPA Secretary General.
Through a blend of financial assistance, community sensitization, and advocacy, WRAPA initiative has provided widows like YarKayi Abubakar from Kebbi State the safety and peace of mind she thought she’d lost forever. “When I got the notice of eviction, I thought I had no future,” YarKayi recalled. “But WRAPA came, and for the first time in months, I could sleep without fear of where we would go.”
The project also fostered important community conversations. Leaders of faith, culture, and local women’s groups came together in each target state, not only to witness the disbursement of rent support but to address the cultural norms that fuel widow marginalization. These dialogues resulted in renewed commitments from community leaders to stand against the exploitation and mistreatment of widows.
One such story is that of Fatimah Abdullahi from Bauchi, a mother of eight whose home and small business were saved by the project. Or Nsude Benedict from Niger State, a widow living with a disability, whose self-worth was reignited by the solidarity she received from her community. These women’s stories speak to the true impact of the project, an impact that goes beyond rent, touching hearts and shifting mindsets.
While the Mustard Seed Widows Shelter Project has been a lifeline for many, WRAPA recognizes the work is far from over. As harmful widowhood practices continue to jeopardize the well-being of Nigerian women, WRAPA calls on more real estate developers, philanthropists, and policymakers to join future project expansions.
WRAPA also plans to integrate livelihood support into future interventions, empowering widows not only with shelter but also with sustainable income opportunities. Through advocacy and community engagement, WRAPA aims to help communities uphold the rights of widows, ensuring that the safety and dignity granted through the #SheltHer project become lasting social norms.
The Mustard Seed Widows Shelter Project is a clear testament to the power of compassion and collective action. It shows that with the right partnerships, like that between WRAPA and Modern Shelter Systems, even a modest seed of help can grow into a sheltering tree of hope.
For women like Amina, Fatimah, and Fatsima, the project didn’t just provide a roof, it restored their faith in humanity.
