Attempts to help the "witches" of Malawi

If you follow along here, my  Facebook page or the blog's "fan" page, you will already know that I have a lot of concern for those people (men, women and children) who are persecuted around the world in the name of witchcraft.  I won't get crazy (again) about how it frustrates me that modern Pagans sometimes  have pages covered in "Never Again the Burning Times!" and don't realize that the exact same thing is still happening today.  People around the world (India, Gaza, Saudi Arabia and all over Africa) are being accused of practicing witchcraft.  They are beaten, raped, run out of their villages, splashed with acid, jailed and often killed.  Children as young as babies, women as old as grandmothers, people of both genders.

I have heard people say that this isn't the same as the witch trials of old.  I ask, how is it not?  Most of those persecuted in the past were not witches, they were women who were a little too independent or who angered a man or someone who owned land that someone else wanted.  Occasionally they were the equivalent of a witch - the local herbal healer or midwife who couldn't save a baby or heal a wealthy landowner.  Those today accused are often practicing their native religion.  Sometimes they just happened to be in the house when someone died.  Some are widows who own land that someone else wants or children who just cry too much.  I see no difference.

It sometimes seems impossible to be able to help these people.  In some cases, letters can be written to our government to intervene or to the government of the country involved.  Often, we only hear their stories after it's too late to help them.  These are not stories that hit the front page, and I've spoken to person after person who has no idea that these things are even happening in the world.

Mr. Thindwa, executive director of the Association of
Secular Humanism, and the 3 women the group helped free.

We have a chance today, however, to maybe make a difference.  To at least try to make a difference. In the small country of Malawi, there is a group of women in prison for witchcraft.  Most are elderly, one being 80 years old.  They've been sentenced to hard labor because their families cannot pay the fines to get their release.  How much is the fine per woman?  The equivalent of $33.

I've been following this story for some time, and on hearing how the women could be released if their fines were paid, I've started writing to anyone who might be able to give me information on contributing to their release.  Getting a pardon for the women would be even better.

Recently there was an article about how the Association of Secular Humanism in Malawi had raised enough money to free three of the "witches".  I contacted the executive director of the organization, Mr. George Thindwa to ask how we might be able to help.  Mr. Thindwa responded that the biggest and fastest way to get the women freed would be via a pardon, by writing to the Minister of Justice and to the president of Malawi.    Meanwhile,  if you'd like to help, you can contact Mr. Thindwa via the Association of Secular Humanists at:

The Association for Secular Humanism

C/o P.O. Box 2340

Lilongwe, Malawi

Cell: + 265 88 8853150

Email:  secularmalawi@ymail.com

secularmalawi@ymail.com  or      georgethindwa@yahoo.com     

Every dollar helps, as the group not only works to free these women, but also helps to contribute to their welfare while imprisoned.

If you'd like to read more about the ASH in Malawi:

• Secular Humanist group registered by government
• Secular Humanists Fundraising for Witchcraft
• Malawi plea to free convicted "witches"
• AAH Update (scroll down to second story on the page)

Click here to read a copy of the Malawi ASH mission and plans on this subject.

If you've ever typed, written, or uttered the words "Never Again the Burning Times", now is the time to put your money where your mouth is.

Please feel free to reprint, repost, and distribute this article and it's information anywhere and in any form.  Credit to the author and a link would be appreciated.

CPSM is not associated with, nor does it necessarily endorse the  views of the Association of Secular Humanists.  CPSM is not responsible of funds donated in support of the Malawi witches.