Global Advocates Against Harmful Practices Monthly Meetup - February Update
An update detailing the outcomes for our February 2025 meetup.
February Meeting Summary
Our international network of advocates against witchcraft accusations met for two productive sessions in February, bringing together representatives from seven countries to share strategies and build collaborative approaches.
Session 1
The participants discussed the situation in Zambia where elderly people exhibiting symptoms of dementia are being accused of witchcraft.
Anderson Simfukwe is seeking radio equipment to launch educational broadcasts about Alzheimer's and dementia to address these misconceptions. Four countries were represented in this conversation with updates from each on their ongoing work. Anyone with leads on radio equipment is encouraged to reach out.
Session 2
This session expanded representation to an additional three countries, bringing the total to seven countries across both sessions (India, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Portugal, United States, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia). Advocates working against gender-based violence and witchcraft accusations shared their experiences and approaches.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration Strategies
February advocates connected through:
Direct knowledge sharing of specific methodologies (including Theater of the Oppressed)
Comparing regional differences in witchcraft accusations
Exchanging useful resources and references
Analyzing case studies from different regions to identify patterns
Collaborating on documentation of laws worldwide
Sharing therapeutic approaches for survivors
Discussing common funding challenges
These sessions highlight the value of cross-border collaboration in recognizing universal patterns while respecting cultural contexts, strengthening collective efforts to combat witchcraft accusations and support survivors.
We warmly invite all advocates working in this field to join our future meetings – you'll find a welcoming and supportive environment that balances informal knowledge-sharing with professional development. The cultural diversity of our participants adds to the richness of the experience and strengthens our collective understanding and ability to collaborate across continents. Perspectives from different cultures provide fresh insights and approaches that can be adapted and applied in various contexts, helping us all become more effective advocates.
