Preity in new role: Brand ambassador for cause of widows

“I am honoured to be associated with this trust. When a woman loses her husband,she loses all colour of life. It is difficult for her not to be pulled up to the flesh trade and trafficking,” she told reporters.

President of the trust Cherie Blair,wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair,said there are about 250 million widows across the world,including nearly 35 million alone in India.

“When the husband dies,the woman not only loses her relationship,but also her status. The widow and her children are affected after the death of the husband. The society needs to support them,” Blair said.

To a question on the condition of widows in the camps in cities like Varanasi,Mathura and Brindavan,Blair said she would visit one of such cities soon to have better understanding of the situation.

Founder and chairman of the trust Raj Loomba said such widow camps should be closed by the government and the women living there should be rehabilitated.

To a question,Blair said the trust has launched a campaign for observing International Widows Day on June 23 every year.

“The trust has been campaigning for observing International Widows Day. We hope the UN will agree to this idea to highlight the problems of widows,” she said.

To a question,Blair said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was committed to the cause of widows.

The Loomba Trust has been working for the last 12 years in many countries. It educates over 3,000 children in India and supports 1,500 HIV orphans in South Africa.