Using the law to tackle accusations of witchcraft: HelpAge International’s Position

It is usually the most discriminated against and marginalised in society who are accused of witchcraft because they are either least able to defend themselves from attack and are therefore easy targets or because they are considered of little value to society and therefore a burden to it in times of hardship.

Although exact numbers are hard to come by, reports suggest that the number of accusations of witchcraft and related violence increases in times of economic or other types of hardship.