ABUJA, Feb 01 (IPS) – In the future in October 2020, Serah Akpan, 70, was seated in her home at Boki Native Authorities in Cross River, southern Nigeria, when she heard the murmurings of irate youth exterior. Earlier than she might grasp what was actually occurring, they’d damaged into her home, bundled her exterior, and threatened to kill her for allegedly being a witch.
“They began chopping me with a cutlass. I used to be bleeding and crying, however nobody cared at that time. They reduce my leg so deep that, even now, I can not stroll on my own,” she stated.
Moments later, she was amongst a gaggle of 9 people who have been accused of witchcraft and forged right into a ferocious inferno, meant to finish their lives in a horrifying method.
Whereas she and two others survived after being rescued by good samaritans and hospitalised, the others have been burned past recognition. Now, she finds life tough, as she was badly injured, is now not capable of stroll, and relies on her youngsters.
Witch looking thrives in Africa
Witch looking is a serious problem throughout Africa. In Nigeria, extreme acts of violence and abuse focusing on aged ladies as a consequence of accusations of witchcraft are prevalent, notably within the southern area, the place an intensified model of Christianity has been merged with native beliefs.
Aged or disabled ladies who’re labelled as witches are sometimes subjected to banishment and isolation. In lots of situations, they’re additionally susceptible to dealing with lynching or enduring different horrifying types of brutality.
This disturbing development gained momentum within the Nineteen Nineties throughout the area, partly influenced by well-liked movies and opportunistic self-proclaimed prophets capitalising on folks’s fears and non secular mindsets for monetary achieve.
This stays an impediment to realising the targets specified by the United Nations’ Normal Meeting’s Declaration on the Eradication of Violence Towards Girls, which was signed in December 1993.
The issue stems from violence in opposition to ladies, which is rampant in Africa and Nigeria, such that the UN in 2020 described it as a “pandemic inside a pandemic.” From 2020 to 2022, 7,349 instances of gender-based violence have been reported within the nation.
The federal government turns a blind eye
Earlier than leaving energy in 2017, Yahya Jammeh the previous president of Gambia, throughout his 22 years of ruling the nation, branded a number of ladies as witches; they then skilled bodily torture because of the accusation.
In September 2022, the Nigerian police stormed a seminar venue on “witch persecution” in Benue State, Nigeria, and chased away individuals.
Specialists argue that almost all governments on the continent are even a part of the issue.
“The state is weak. Once we take this subject to the police, they do not decide up our calls as a result of they suppose we’re disturbing them. It’s not a precedence for the state. Due to their quest for votes and recognition, the federal government will not need to go in opposition to well-liked beliefs,” argues Dr. Leo Igwe, the founding father of Advocacy for Alleged Witches.
Equally, different governments in Africa have been unable to cease this gender-based violence within the type of witch branding of their international locations. That is certainly one of a number of the reason why reaching the Sustainable Growth Aim on gender equality by 2030 seems unsure in Africa.
In line with Roslyn Mould, a humanist and human rights advocate in Ghana, “Witchcraft branding stems from the misuse of cultural beliefs and has turn into very detrimental to essentially the most susceptible, which incorporates aged ladies in society.”
“Ghana is among the international locations in Africa that has witch camps created for individuals who have been banished from their group. It’s detrimental to us internationally, particularly on the subject of how we deal with our ladies and moms. This follow denies ladies their rights.
She burdened that the important thing answer is not closing the camps however ending the accusations. “Authorities officers sympathise however lack on-ground analysis or NGO collaboration. To make a distinction, teaming up with conventional leaders is essential. Even when discovered not responsible, grapple with persistent societal stigma. Their primary rights, like freedom, healthcare, and correct diet, are regularly compromised. It is price noting that almost all accusations, roughly 99 p.c, are focused at ladies, making this a urgent ladies’s rights subject, with a majority of the accusations coming from me,” Roslyn added.
Hope Glitters within the Darkish
In Malawi, witchcraft killings are nonetheless on the rise. The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation reports that since 2019, mobs have unlawfully killed no less than 75 people suspected of partaking in witchcraft within the nation.
Whereas Part 210 of Nigeria’s Prison Code Act prescribes a two-year jail sentence for accusing somebody of witchcraft or taking part in associated actions like making, promoting, or utilizing charms and interesting in illegal practices, the precise enforcement of this legislation has been inconsistent.
However Ghana is taking a step ahead to counter the issue, regardless of the chances. In 2022, following the lynching of a 90-year-old lady in July 2020, the Ghanaian parliament passed a bill that criminalized the follow of witchcraft accusations. The invoice prohibits the declaration, accusation, or labelling of one other particular person as a witch.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
