Malawi anti-witchcraft violence project launched

Malawi’s Association for Secular Humanism [ASH] has embarked on a project aimed at ending witchcraft-based violence against the elderly, women and children in the country.

The project, which will cover 11 districts, is aimed at protecting the rights of victims of witchcraft-related violence being funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

In Kasungu, it is currently taking place in the areas of traditional authorities (T/As) Wimbe, Kawamba and Chulu where chiefs are being schooled on the Witchcraft Act.

Speaking on Monday after a sensitisation meeting in T/A Wimbe’s area, ASH executive director George Thindwa, said the project will bring peace in societies.

“In our meetings with chiefs and their subjects, it has been revealed that most of them are not aware of the laws of Malawi, Chapter 7.02 of the Witchcraft Act and how they can fully utilise them to safeguard other people’s rights.

“This is why we are sensitising chiefs so that they know such laws,” said Thindwa.

In his remarks, National Police Deputy Commissioner responsible for Community Policing, Masauko Medi, said they are also geared up to help ASH’s vision of ending witchcraft-based violence’s as the acts also break other laws.

“With good cooperation with community policing membera, we can end such malpractices,” said Medi.

Other districts benefiting are Mulanje, Chikhwawa, Rumphi, Neno, Lilongwe, Mzimba and Karonga.