India: Inclusion of Witch-Hunting Under Laws on Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment Favoured

30th November: Contrary to popular belief, widows and single women are not the only ones vulnerable to witch hunting. In fact, witch-hunting appeared to be a prevalent form of violence used to target middle aged women fully ensconced in their marital homes, according to a study. This indicates the need to think about witch-hunting also as a form of violence against women and be brought under the purview of Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013. Studies suggest witch-hunting draws upon superstition and involves gendered targeting of women, is embedded in disputes, jealousies and tensions that fester between intimates and arises in contexts where affordable accessible quality health care and education are largely absent. Read more here.