Researcher, Denis Tibel has called for the introduction and implementation of specific laws to prevent people from attacking others in the name of witchcraft, child witchcraft, and widowhood rites. In an interview with Gerard Asagi on the Day Break Upper East Show on A1 radio, Tibel emphasised that such laws would bring down some of the accusations in society.
“If we have laws in place that criminalise some of these things. It will bring down some of the accusations in our society,” Tibel stated. He also questioned the attribution of every misfortune to witchcraft, stating that it is time to change the societal misconception surrounding women, especially old women.
Tibel’s comments come as part of his study on how to minimise accusations and attacks on women accused of witchcraft. He recommended that the criminalization of false accusations be included in the curriculum to expose the next generation to the impact of such accusations.
“Aside from criminalising the act, it should be included in the curriculum to expose the next generation to the impact of false accusations,” Tibel said.
He emphasised that the change in societal perception surrounding women would only come if specific laws criminalising the acts of accusation and attack were put in place.
Tibel’s call for specific laws to prevent attacks on women in the name of witchcraft comes at a time when gender-based violence is a growing concern in many societies. His recommendations are expected to go a long way toward promoting gender equality and reducing violence against women.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Gerard Awombadek Asagi|Ghana
