ID | 193253 |
Title Proper | Woman and child-witch stigmatisation |
Other Title Information | a form of gender discrimination in Nigeria |
Language | ENG |
Author | Abifarin, Olufemi ; Emmanuel A Adesina, Adeola Omotunde and Olufemi Abifarin ; Adesina, Emmanuel A ; Omotunde, Adeola |
Summary / Abstract (Note) | The child-witch phenomenon in Nigeria is a devastating menace that is ravaging families in the Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states of the Southern Region of Nigeria. This phenomenon is a creation of religious frauds like witch-doctors, Alfas, priests, prophets and prophetesses who claim that they have the power to know who is a witch or wizard. This has led to over 200,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17, being thrown out on to the streets. Women also suffer a similar fate in the hands of their husbands, in-laws and children. The situation had become so dreadful that the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State passed a Child Rights Law, which prohibits stigmatising any child, as a witch, or killing or maiming any child, in addition to the existing provisions of the Criminal and Penal Codes. Emmanuel A Adesina, Adeola Omotunde and Olufemi Abifarin, examine critically this category of criminal behaviour and offer a pragmatic solution to the problem. |
`In' analytical Note | World Affairs Vol. 27, No.4; Winter 2023: p.146-163 |
Journal Source | World Affairs 2023-10 27, 4 |
Key Words | Woman and Child-Witch Stigmatisation ; Gender Discrimination In Nigeria |