By Dr Joan Nyanyuki, Executive Director, ACPF
The horror of witchcraft accusations and ritual abuse against girls and boys across the continent is once again rearing its ugly head – and none are more at risk than children with albinism. Fuelled by discrimination, stigmatisation and greed, Africa continues to witness horrific cases of abuse, ill-treatment, abduction, mutilation for body parts used in so-called ‘magical medicines’ – and even murder.
Every year, thousands of children in Africa are accused of witchcraft and suffer ritual abuse and attacks, yet these crimes remain ‘hidden in plain sight’. Children with albinism are at much higher risk – the UN reports hundreds of cases of attacks and killings of persons with albinism reported in 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade. Many African governments look away, despite being signatories to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
I have no wish to criticise the long held beliefs that underpin traditional African healing or religious practices. Witchcraft is deeply rooted in many of our African cultures and communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and is a powerful influence in the daily lives of millions of people. In some countries, witchcraft and associated traditional healing beliefs are inter-linked and deeply valued. But when those beliefs and values spill over into unspeakable physical and psychological violence against children, especially those with albinism, we have to speak out.
This week’s UN International Albinism Awareness Day highlighted the need for us all to stand shoulder to shoulder with people with albinism, but recent research from African Child Policy Forum suggests that African governments routinely fail to protect such children. We also found that ritual attacks on children – especially those with albinism – are often motivated by greed, a desire for power or a mistaken belief that their body parts can stave off ancestral wrath and cure everything from male impotency to poverty. Girls with albinism and mothers who give birth to children with albinism suffer extreme violence, including hacking off their arms and legs while still alive. Frequently, these attacks are motivated by a mistaken belief that there is a lucrative market for body parts of persons with albinism.
I am encouraged by some signs of progress. Earlier this year the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning accusations of witchcraft, rituals and other harmful traditions that result in human rights violations. Thanks to the concerted efforts of international NGOs, African civil society organisations and the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, the African Union has introduced a five-year Plan of Action on Albinism and has resolved to appoint a Special Envoy on Albinism to oversee its implementation. The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) recently developed the first ever guidelines for ending harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks.
Some African countries, too, are taking the issue seriously. In Malawi, new laws and government action resulted in attacks on people with albinism declining from 60 in 2016 to just four in 2021. Uganda passed new legislation last year specifically banning human sacrifice and the possession of human body parts. Tanzania has established safe houses to protect children with albinism.
The ray of sunshine is that we, as Africans, already have the answers. We don’t need new systems – we just need to ensure that protecting the rights and wellbeing of children with albinism is integrated into existing child protection systems. Home-grown solutions championed by faith and community leaders stand the best chance of success. It is encouraging that many communities are devising rituals to protect themselves against witchcraft which do not involve doing harm to children. African governments must support these approaches with legislation and policies, and go further to invest in broad and inclusive violence prevention and child protection. Together, we can end the scourge of witchcraft accusations and ritual abuse against girls and boys.
Dr Joan Nyanyuki is the Executive Director of the African Child Policy Forum, a Pan-African organisation of policy research and advocacy on the African child, committed to putting children at the centre of the public and political agenda.