World Day Against Witch Hunts is August 10
Join us to learn from leading experts about one of today’s most overlooked human rights crises.
Sunday, August 10th, we’re bringing together specialists from Amnesty International, The Sanneh Institute, TOLEC GH, ActionAid, and Songtaba for a crucial discussion on supporting survivors of witchcraft accusations—with a special focus on women and children in Ghana’s refugee camps.
What: Expert panel discussion on supporting survivors of witchcraft accusations When: Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM GMT / 1:30 PM EDT Where: Free online webinar
Click here to attend the event for free at this link
The World Day Against Witch-Hunts isn’t just about history—it’s about understanding a crisis happening right now. Vulnerable people, especially women and children, still face violence and exile due to witchcraft accusations in communities that desperately need our support.
This is your opportunity to learn directly from researchers, advocates, and organizations working to meet the needs of survivors of witchcraft accusations in Ghana.
About World Day Against Witch Hunts
World Day Against Witch Hunts is observed every August 10. Started by Missio in 2020, the day serves to draw attention to the global crisis of Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks.
What sounds like a dark chapter of the past is still a cruel reality for many people around the world. In countries like Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and Benin, women, children, and men are still being accused of “witchcraft” and brutally persecuted.
On August 10, the International Day Against Witch-Hunts, missio shares the moving story of Christina, who survived torture in Papua New Guinea thanks to the courageous help of Sister Lorena. Christina was falsely accused of witchcraft and brutally tortured. Only a clever escape and Sister Lorena’s bravery saved her life.
Using AI animation, Christina’s story is now being told – giving a voice to many who can’t speak for themselves.
📽️ Watch and share the video to stand against violence and injustice.
missio supports local projects that protect and empower victims – and we need your support.
👉 🔗 We’re telling her story here: missio-hilft.de/hexenwahn
#EndWitchHunts #StopViolence #HumanRights #ChristinasVoice #missiohilft
Want to learn more? Start with these resources.
Reports
- Branded for Life: How Witchcraft Accusations Lead to Human Rights Violations of Hundreds of Women in North Ghana
- Branded for life: Witchcraft accusations and the fight for dignity in the north of Ghana
- Legislative approaches to addressing harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks
- Study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatization
Articles
- Witch Hunts a Global Problem in the 21st Century
- World Day Against Witch Hunts: People with Dementia are not Witches
- Missio: World Day Against Witch Hunts (German)
- Internationaler Tag Gegen Hexenwahn
- ActionAid Ghana and Partners Lead Memorial Lecture and March Honouring Akua Denteh with a Renewed Demand for Justice and Legal Reform
- Hundreds accused of witchcraft urgently need protection and reparation
- Branded for life but resilient: Women accused of witchcraft in Ghana
- Anti-witchcraft laws fail to prevent thousands of annual accusations and deaths, according to report
- Stand with the women accused of witchcraft in Ghana
Videos
- World Day Against Witch Hunts (Australia National University)
- Why Witch Hunts are not just a Dark Chapter from the Past
Organizations
- Amnesty International Ghana
- ActionAid Ghana
- The Sanneh Institute
- Songtaba
- Total Life Enhancement Center Ghana (TOLECGH)
- Advocacy for Alleged Witches
- Missio Aachen
- The International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks
Donate to Participating Organizations
- ActionAid Ghana
- Amnesty International Ghana
- The Sanneh Institute
- Songtaba
- Total Life Enhancement Center Ghana
- End Witch Hunts
- The International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks
- Missio
Resolutions, Guidelines, and National Action Plans
- United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8: Elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks
- Pan-African Parliament Guidelines: Accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks: towards eliminating harmful practices and other human rights violations
- Papua New Guinea Sorcery National Action Plan
Aiding and Abetting Violence
Those who commit violent crimes against persons suspected of witchcraft are sometimes prosecuted. However, it is rare for the instigators and facilitators of these attacks to face justice.
Witchfinders
Some people operating as traditional healers or faith leaders identify supposed witches, as a component of their occupations. These identifications are ostensibly conducted through rituals or performances. However, the hard reality is that the witchfinder usually relies upon the customer to provide clues as to who in their own family or community may be harming them through witchcraft, sorcery, or black magic.
Spiritual Entrepreneurs
Around the world, many people have declared themselves to be spiritual authorities but only seek to earn money by exploiting personal disasters and fears. These individuals sometimes identify supposed witches, sorcerers, or other users of malefic magic, often in exchange for money, goods, or services.
Charlatans
In many areas, self-appointed religious authorities and other profiteers seek to enrich themselves by leading witch-hunts in worship services. Billboards and other advertisement campaigns encourage the public to participate.
2024 Activities
2023 Activities
In 2023, Advocacy for Alleged Witches focused on accusations of witchcraft against persons living with dementia, a commonly misunderstood condition.
Recognize World Day Against Witch Hunts
How will you observe World Day Against Witch Hunts?