Can Humanism Help End Witch Hunts in Africa?

Leo Igwe examines how humanist activists in Africa are combating witch hunts by challenging superstition, promoting critical thinking, and helping victims seek legal protection against accusations that often lead to violence, abuse, and death. Drawing on real cases from Nigeria, he argues that reason, science, and human rights advocacy offer the most effective path toward ending witchcraft-related persecution across the continent. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/05/can-humanism-help-end-witch-hunts-in-africa/ About the Author: Leo Igwe, founder of the Nigerian Humanist Movement and founding director of the Center for Inquiry Nigeria, recently completed a doctorate degree in religious studies at the University of Bayreuth in Germany. He is the chair of the Humanist Association of Nigeria and recipient of the IHEU 2017 Distinguished Service to Humanism Award. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/