Witchcraft is not just the stuff of spooky emojis, new-age religion, and overblown witch-hunt metaphors. For those accused of the practice, it can be a real-life death sentence — which is why the African Union is tackling the superstitions, stigma, and violence associated with accusations of witchcraft.
Also in today’s edition: As part of our coverage of U.N. Water Week, we examine how more money may not be the best way to deliver clean water to the hundreds of millions of people who lack it.
The term “witchcraft” may conjure images of “Harry Potter” or Halloween costumes or even the Salem witch trials in Colonial America, but being accused of witchcraft is a deadly prospect in parts of the world today.
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About the author
Anna Gawel
Anna Gawel is the Managing Editor of Devex. She previously worked as the managing editor of The Washington Diplomat, the flagship publication of D.C.’s diplomatic community. She’s had hundreds of articles published on world affairs, U.S. foreign policy, politics, security, trade, travel and the arts on topics ranging from the impact of State Department budget cuts to Caribbean efforts to fight climate change. She was also a broadcast producer and digital editor at WTOP News and host of the Global 360 podcast. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Maryland in College Park.
