Posts by whrin_admin

Nepal: A Study on Violence due to Witchcraft Allegation and Sexual Violence

Nepal, as a member state of the United Nation, has ratified various International human rights treaties and convention related to the
rights of women which explicitly shows Nepal’s commitment towards protecting and promoting the rights of women. However, the situation of women doesn’t seem satisfactory. More than 50 per cent of Nepal’s population is women but their status is still very poor. They have a lower status than men in each aspect of the Human Development Index. Illiteracy, patriarchal society and the economic dependency of women on man create grounds for male domination over woman. Accusations of the so-called practice of witchcraft, rape and incidents of sexual violence are some of the examples of violence against women which occur in Nepalese society.

The following article explores the widespread violence that occurs against women as a result of witchcraft allegation in the context of domestic and international legislation. Full article here. 

Nigeria: Woman Found Dead Without Eyes, Tongue

Jos — Ritual killers on Monday struck in Jos, killing and removing the eyes and tongue of a young lady in Twanchit Village at Tudun Wada in the Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau. Read more here.

Papua New Guinea: More women face beheading in PNG

Three women – a mother and her daughters – are being held captive and are likely to be decapitated as witches in Papua New Guinea, Amnesty International claims. Read more here.

Zambia: Two elderly people killed on witchcraft suspicion

TWO elderly people  have been axed to death in Eastern Province on suspicion of practicing witchcraft Police Public Relations Officer Ms. Elizabeth Kanjela has announced. Read more here. 

Kenya: Sisters lynched in Kisii Village

TWO sisters were over the weekend lynched by villagers at Nyang’iti in Kisii over claims they were practicing witchcraft. The elderly sisters who were identified as Esther Nyankumeria and Linet Nyankumeria aged 50 and 45 years respectively were killed in their house by the irate villagers on allegations they had a hand in the  death of their nephew. Read more here.

Africa: Witchcraft Accusations Prompt Large-Scale Response by African Theologians

Approximately 50 international pastors and scholars—the majority from seven African nations—convened in Nairobi, Kenya, last month to address the growing problem. According to the Carl F. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), which sponsored the conference, “This historic gathering marks the first large-scale, international and interdenominational effort within the church and within the framework of Christian theology to address the growing presence of witch accusations and violence.” Read more here.

Fiji: Witch doctor faces trial for alleged rape

A 39-year-old man claiming to be a witch doctor is now on trial for allegedly raping a woman in 2010 at a relative’s house in Nasinu. Read more here.

India: Cabbie kills tantrik who demanded his son’s skull

A Meru cab driver assaulted a tantrik with an iron rod and then ran him over with his car five times, after the selfprofessed godman demanded he sacrifice his three-year-old son in exchange for life-long prosperity. Read more here.

South Africa: Ritual murder accused appear

Three people accused of the ritual killing of an Indian woman in Makhado, Limpopo, appeared in the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Monday, police said. Read more here.

Miami: Trial date set for Haitian voodo case

A Miami judge has set a trial date for July for a Haitian-born voodoo priest accused of placing a curse on his compatriot then drugging and raping her. Read more here.