International Widows’ Day: POWA Moves To Set Up Mental Health Support System For Police Widows

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The Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) has announced plans to introduce a structured mental health and psychosocial support framework for widows of police officers, as its National President, Mrs. Olufunmilola Disu, emphasized that bereavement involves far more than economic challenges.

Speaking during activities commemorating the 2026 International Widows’ Day, themed “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Police Widows,” Mrs. Disu noted that many widows live with silent emotional trauma while simultaneously raising children and adjusting to life after losing spouses who died in active service.

She stressed that emotional recovery must be treated with equal urgency as financial assistance, warning that grief carries both psychological and personal dimensions that are often overlooked in public support systems.

According to her, POWA is working toward the establishment of a sustainable psychosocial care programme that will provide counselling services, emotional guidance and a safe community network to help widows cope with loss and rebuild stability.

“Our objective is to reduce the financial, health and emotional burdens on our women and ensure that no police widow is left without support after the sacrifice of her husband in service,” she said.

Mrs. Disu also observed that behind every officer who dies in the line of duty is a family that often remains outside public attention, reaffirming POWA’s commitment to the welfare of those left behind.

She paid tribute to the families of 17 officers recently killed in Yobe State as well as three others who lost their lives in Zamfara State, assuring their widows and children that they remain part of a wider police family sharing in their loss.

The POWA president further disclosed that the association has strengthened its healthcare initiatives, offering services such as medical consultations, dental care, eye examinations and provision of corrective glasses to beneficiaries across the country.

She added that educational support for children of police personnel remains a key focus, noting that the future of such children should not be jeopardized by the death of a parent.

Mrs. Disu explained that this year’s theme highlights the need to uphold justice for fallen officers, protect the dignity of widows and expand empowerment opportunities that enable them to rebuild and live with purpose.

She concluded by calling for deeper compassion and shared responsibility from stakeholders, urging the creation of a system where police widows are supported with dignity, empathy and sustainable hope.