End Human Rights Abuses Against Alleged Witches

Dear Readers!

Songtaba is excited once again to bring to you updates on our project on ending human rights abuses against alleged witches of which your cherished donations have made possible and we are grateful for your support in putting a smile on the faces of these aged and vulnerable women.

During the quarter under review Songtaba concentrated in securing more support to keep re-integrated alleged witches safe in their communities so they can live their life without the fear of been accused again or under some form of threats. The project management team paid visits to all the women who were re-integrated under this project to ensure that they are living happily with their families and communities without any form of discrimination and stigma and in fact, we are happy to announce that all these women are living happily with their families and coordially with communities.

A number of engagements meetings were also held during this visits between the community heads, key opinion leaders and the re-integrated women and their families to ensure that these re-integrated women are safe and under the protection of the community leaders of which community leaders gave us the assurance that nothing will happen to them and once they have accepted to live with them, it is their duty to make them feel part of the community.

Songtaba as part of strategies to ensure the safety of these women also engage the four district assemblies where most of these abuses are happening to establish systems that will protect individuals in these district against human rights abuses especially issues of witch craft based on suspicion or allegation. Among the demads we made from the assemblies were to set up a taks force for the operationalisation of their district bye-laws that will punish perpetraters of these crimes.

Radio discussions and jingles also played a very significant role in sensitizing the public to bring about change in attitude leading to change in practice. During these radio discussions, the public were usually invited to join the discussion via the telephone where people can call in to make contributions or seek clarifications on issues they have confusion over, and these interractive conversation has help pushed the discussions and education on witch craft to reach a wider coverage. prviously people will not feel comfortable to openly discuss issues of witch craft.

Indeed, Songtaba is happy to announce that there has been a significant change in the mind set of people over issues of witch craft. people are beginning to appreciate the fact that these women have the right to live without any fear of intimidation based on the allegation or suspicion of possesing any form of witch craft powers. This thinking has significantly affected positively in bringing the number of women banished to witch camps down. In the last three months, the kukuo camp has not recorded any new accusation. 

we hope you will continue to support the programmes so we can continue to work to support these vulnerable groups.