The End Witchcraft Branding and Stigmatization (#EWBS) project is an advocacy campaign designed to combat the widespread branding and stigmatization of children as witches in the southern region of Nigeria. BRCI will over the duration (24 months) of the project advocate for improved laws, train police officers ans other first respondents and engage traditional leaders and religious leaders on the need to end child witchcraft branding and stigmatization.
Witchcraft branding is an offence punishable under Sections 210 to 215 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, LFN 2004. However, this widespread practice has been seen continuously among many communities especially in the southern region of the country which engage in this criminality without any regard for the law. Unsurprisingly, the majority of victims of this abhorrent practice are children who are easily tagged witches or wizards and are made to suffer emotional and physical abuse.
EWBS will raise awareness on this sensitive issue and work to strengthen the institutions responsible for protecting the rights of these children. it will also reunite children with their families, offering them a better chance at realizing their potentials. EWBS will work to review the Child Rights Law in the state ensuring that there is a specific legal instrument that addresses the rights of branded children and gives the justice.
Improvement in the quality of life of children in Cross River State Reduction in the number of street children and children at risk of being pushed into the street in Cross River State Increased prosecution and conviction of people accused of branding children as witches New and amended Cross River State Child Rights Law with clear and specific provisions proscribing witchcraft branding
