Songtaba launches gender rights project to combat witchcraft accusations and gender-based violence

In a bid to protect women's rights and combat gender-based violence, Songtaba, a human rights and women's empowerment organization, has launched the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project (GREP).

The fouar-year initiative was unveiled on International Women's Day 2025 and aims to tackle the rising cases of witchcraft accusations, particularly in Northern Ghana.

Speaking at the launch, Hajia Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director of Songtaba, emphasized the urgent need for interventions to support women accused of witchcraft and banished to so-called “witch camps.”

A 2022 study by Songtaba found that over 1,000 older women have faced such accusations, with 52.7% suffering from depression and 97% experiencing extremely low quality of life, based on World Health Organization (WHO) assessments.

GREP, which will be co-implemented with Renal Ghana Foundation, will operate across the Northern, Northeast, Cape Coast, and Greater Accra regions.

The initiative includes safe shelters and One-Stop centers for victims, community education, awareness campaigns, economic empowerment programs, and advocacy for stronger legal protections. A key aspect of the project is the push for the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill, which seeks to criminalize witchcraft accusations and protect vulnerable women.

The bill was reintroduced in Parliament on March 7, 2025, and Songtaba is urging its swift passage and effective enforcement. The launch event was attended by legal practitioners, human rights organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the media, reinforcing the collective effort needed to address gender injustices Songtaba's advocacy aligns with the global theme for International Women's Day 2025: "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment."