When Helena’s husband passed away suddenly, she found herself facing not only grief but also an urgent threat to her family’s security. With her two young children—Mateus, age 4, and Leila, age 6—she was told by her late husband’s family that she had just seven days to leave the home they had shared. 

There was no legal notice, no mediation, and no acknowledgment of her rights. The intention was simple: to remove her from the property. 

Helena’s experience reflects a widespread challenge in many communities where Development Workshop Angola (DWA) works. Women often lack equal rights to housing and land, and without access to legal support or trusted local advocates, they are vulnerable to eviction. 

In Helena’s case, support came through DWA’s involvement in the Women’s Spaces Project, which trains local leaders and community members—particularly women—to understand and defend their communities’ housing and inheritance rights. One of these leaders, Doroteia, heard about Helena’s situation and stepped forward. 

Recently trained in housing and inheritance law, Doroteia met with the husband’s family to clarify Helena’s legal right to remain in her home as a widow. She also made it clear that further intimidation could be reported to the authorities. 

Her support made all the difference. The family withdrew their threats, and Helena was able to stay in her home with her children, providing much-needed stability during an already traumatic period. 

Reflecting on the experience, Doroteia shared: 
“We don’t just fight injustice; we replace it with knowledge.” 

The Women’s Spaces model continues to show strong results across regions where Rooftops Canada and partners like DWA work. For example, in Uganda, nearly 60% of women involved in similar initiatives now report greater control over their homes and land—far above the global average, where fewer than 20% of women are landowners. 

Helena’s story highlights both the risks women face and the transformative impact of community-based legal empowerment. 

*Names have been changed to protect identities.