The spouse of the Deputy President, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, is scheduled to speak at the African Widows Summit in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on June 20, 2024.
The summit, themed “Women in Widowhood: Reforming the African Space,” will be attended by various dignitaries including presidents, first ladies, ambassadors, and representatives from organizations focusing on widows’ issues.
The objective of the summit is to address challenges faced by widows and advocate for structural changes in African governments to improve their welfare. Pastor Dorcas has been a longtime advocate for widows, starting from her university days, and continues her work through the Widows and Orphans Pillar under the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP).
The OSDP implements widow-focused programs across multiple counties in Kenya, providing economic empowerment and psychosocial support. Additionally, Pastor Dorcas oversees other pillars within her office, including support for the Boy Child and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), based on principles of Chaplaincy, Outreach, and Family Values.
