By Sharon Hill
As part of my daily news reviews, I come across some particularly disturbing events where women are the target of severe abuse, even death, by those wielding the cowardly tool of superstitious nonsense. I suspect it’s not more prevalent than decades ago but the Internet reveals it in all it's shocking color worldwide. In the 21st century, it is appalling that several areas of the world devalue and subjugate women in such ways, still, after all this time and supposed “progress” in other places around the world.
Poverty, lack of education, religion — these factors suppress women and disadvantage them in society. Advocates for women often feel discouraged because the problem is so huge; one person feels too small to do anything about it. I feel the same. I am not qualified to speak about women’s rights worldwide, but what I notice as a consumer of news are two practices that have, in the past year, caught my eye as notably destructive and astoundingly ignorant - persecution for witchcraft and belief in spirit possession. These beliefs remain alive and very dangerous in many areas of the world. Is there anything we can do to stamp them out?
As part of my daily news reviews, I come across some particularly disturbing events where women are the target of severe abuse, even death, by those wielding the cowardly tool of superstitious nonsense. I suspect it’s not more prevalent than decades ago but the Internet reveals it in all it's shocking color worldwide. In the 21st century, it is appalling that several areas of the world devalue and subjugate women in such ways, still, after all this time and supposed “progress” in other places around the world.
Poverty, lack of education, religion — these factors suppress women and disadvantage them in society. Advocates for women often feel discouraged because the problem is so huge; one person feels too small to do anything about it. I feel the same. I am not qualified to speak about women’s rights worldwide, but what I notice as a consumer of news are two practices that have, in the past year, caught my eye as notably destructive and astoundingly ignorant - persecution for witchcraft and belief in spirit possession. These beliefs remain alive and very dangerous in many areas of the world. Is there anything we can do to stamp them out?