DOCSLIB.ORG

Child Witchcraft Accusations in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Child Witchcraft Accusations in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Child Witchcraft Accusations in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo Edmond Kesseh Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Edmond Kesseh has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Victor Ferreros, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Lynn Wilson, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Tanya Settles, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Child Witchcraft Accusations in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo by Edmond Kesseh MA, Oklahoma University, 2008 BA, University of Maryland College Park, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University August 2020 Abstract Child witchcraft accusations, which represent a comparatively new phenomenon in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, have caused tens of thousands of children aged 5-10 years to be abused, tortured, ostracized, stigmatized, and thrown out of family homes into the streets. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of staff of local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and other child advocacy groups who worked with young children accused of witchcraft concerning how their efforts and collaboration with the government influenced the problem. Critical theory and an attachment conceptual framework were used to analyze the effectiveness of existing government policies targeting these children, as well as to identify whether new policies are needed to address child witchcraft accusations in Kinshasa. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with a purposeful sample of 13 participants, public and operational documentation. These data were inductively coded, then subjected to a thematic analysis procedure. Findings suggested that existing public policies were deeply inefficient and did not indicate political willingness to protect the rights and safety of children. Implications for positive social change stem from recommendations to local governments to improve public policy implementation strategies; improve the economic conditions of local families through the creation of employment opportunities; foster collaboration among local NGOs, child advocacy groups, the government, and the church; provide educational training; and legally hold abusers accountable for their actions. Child Witchcraft Accusations in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo by Edmond Kesseh MA, Oklahoma University, 2008 BA, University of Maryland College Park, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University August 2020 Dedication To my loving, caring, and beautiful wife, Janice, and to my amazing children, Brandon, Candice, and Edmond Jr., for their sacrifices, steadfastness, and unconditional support, and for being my bedrock and source of inspiration throughout this journey. Words cannot describe my sincere and deepest appreciation for you; I love you all dearly and I am forever grateful for allowing me to pursue this noble cause. You encouraged me all throughout and lifted me up during my lowest moment. I was able to achieve my goal because of you. You are my heroes and may the Lord Almighty bless you abundantly! To my wonderful father, Samuel Kesseh, and sweet mother, Martha Amoah, who always supported me with their unconditional love and prayers. You raised me to be the man I am today. You are my role models, and I pray God for good health and long life. Thank you both! Acknowledgments First and foremost, I want to thank God Almighty for his grace and mercy that accompanied me throughout this journey, and for the strength, courage, wisdom, and knowledge that he blessed me with over the course of this dissertation. Second and very importantly, my deepest appreciations go to Dr. Victor Ferreros, my chair and mentor, and Dr. Bethe Hagens, my former chair, for their incredible support and encouragement throughout this doctoral experience. Your thought-provoking questions and constructive feedback while pushing me hard truly helped me discover myself and brought the best out of me to accomplish this doctoral milestone. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Lynn Wilson, my committee member, whose expert inputs, mentorship, and recommendations helped pushed me to the finish line successfully. This journey has been a delightful experience for me, and I thank you all for your support, belief in me, and mentorship. While the completion of this doctorate brings a sigh of relief and great sense of accomplishment, the true work for positive social change starts now. Finally, I would also like to thank all the key participants from Kinshasa, DRC and from Belgium for their experiences, expertise, and involvement in this study. Your timely availability and inputs made this study a successful one and a contribution to the body of academic literature. I am forever grateful to you all. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Study .............................................................................................. 5 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 7 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 9 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 11 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................... 15 Nature of the Study ..................................................................................................... 17 Operational Definitions ............................................................................................... 19 Assumptions of the Study ........................................................................................... 22 Limitations of the Study.............................................................................................. 22 Scope and Delimitations ............................................................................................. 24 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................ 24 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................28 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 28 Literature Search Strategy........................................................................................... 29 Theoretical Foundations.............................................................................................. 34 Critical Theory ............................................................................................................ 34 i Attachment Conceptual Framework ........................................................................... 37 Internal Armed Conflicts or Civil Wars ................................................................ 40 Family Breakdown ................................................................................................ 43 Anthropology of Witchcraft ........................................................................................ 46 Witchcraft in Sub-Saharan Africa ......................................................................... 48 Historical and Cultural Significance of Belief in Witchcraft in the Democratic Republic of Congo ................................................................................................ 51 Child Witchcraft Accusations and Street Children in the Democratic Republic of Congo .......................................................................................................................... 54 Poverty
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Risky Sex, Addictions, and Communicable Diseases in India: Implications for Health, Development, and Security
    Risky Sex, Addictions, and Communicable Diseases in India: Implications for Health, Development, and Security Rajan Gupta Theoretical Division Los Alamos National laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 [email protected] LAUR 02-5305 This monograph was published as Special Report 8 in the Health and Security Series by the Chemical and Biological Arms Control Institute (CBACI), Washington D.C., September 2004. ABSTRACT: This monograph provides a comprehensive and unifying view of a number of health issues confronting India and how, over time, they could impact the stability and security of the nation. New pandemics like HIV/AIDS have confounded attempts at containment because their spread highlights vulnerabilities in social and political norms and behaviors that have historically been ignored. Their spread also exposes a highly inadequate medical and educational infrastructure. To stop the spread of communicable diseases for which risky individual lifestyles and behaviors, societal norms and beliefs, poverty and lack of empowerment, and stigma and discrimination are major factors it is necessary to examine the system as a whole and to develop new paradigms and tools. Sexually transmitted infections and addictions to alcohol and drugs have emerged as a major interconnected global threat. This monograph makes the case that India is highly vulnerable to this threat and major policy changes, an unprecedented cooperation between public and private sector, and an order of magnitude more investment in health and education is needed to prevent a runaway
    [Show full text]
  • Abuses Against Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in India
    Future Forsaken Abuses Against Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in India Human Rights Watch Copyright © 2004 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 1-56432-326-9 Cover photo: ©2003 Zama Coursen-Neff/Human Rights Watch Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA Tel: 1-(212) 290-4700, Fax: 1-(212) 736-1300 [email protected] 1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 USA Tel:1-(202) 612-4321, Fax:1-(202) 612-4333 [email protected] 2nd Floor, 2-12 Pentonville Road London N1 9HF, UK Tel: 44 20 7713 1995, Fax: 44 20 7713 1800 [email protected] Rue Van Campenhout 15, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: 32 (2) 732-2009, Fax: 32 (2) 732-0471 [email protected] 9 rue de Cornavin 1201 Geneva Tel: +41 22 738 04 81, Fax: +41 22 738 1791 [email protected] Web Site Address: http://www.hrw.org Listserv address: To receive Human Rights Watch news releases by email, subscribe to the HRW news listserv of your choice by visiting http://hrw.org/act/subscribe- mlists/subscribe.htm Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.
    [Show full text]
  • Street Children in the Developing World: a Review of Their Condition
    Street Children in the Developing World: A Review of Their Condition Lewis Aptekar San Jose State University The article reviews the literature on street children and points out why there are street children in certain cultures and not in others. The reasons for their existence are related to poverty, abuse, and modernizing factors. Street children are defined and distinguished from working and refugee children. Details about the family structure of street children are given. How the children cope and their level of psychological functioning are discussed. The article gives reasons for why the children are treated with such violence and gives attention to methodological research problems that include the children's ability to distort information, the researcher's proclivity to under- or overestimate the children's emotional condition, distortions of facts created by the press and international organizations, and general cross-cultural research issues. For the last decade, I have been studying children. I view them as both needy and bold, and I have seen them in streets that have increasingly become both theatre and war zone. Observing the children and how people have reacted to them not only has forced me to think about growing up without the security of parental love but has made me contemplate the potential rewards of life without parental restraint. My ambivalent thoughts and feelings are to some extent similar to the way the children are treated by the public. Some people see the children as being worthy of the valor given to heroic survivors, while others afford them the pity due the neglected and abused.
    [Show full text]
  • Street Children in Asia and Pacific Region
    AT THE MARGINS: STREET CHILDREN IN ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION DR. ANDREW WEST ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK WORKING PAPER (DRAFT) MARCH 2003 1 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION 2. WHO ARE STREET CHILDREN? 3. AT THE MARGINS: DAILY LIFE, ISSUES AND CAUSES 4. STREET CHILDREN ACROSS THE REGION East and Central Asia South Asia Mekong and Southeast Asia The Pacific 5. FRAMEWORKS AND PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICE 6. METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION 7. GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS 8. PRACTICE AND EXAMPLES APPENDICES Terms of Reference Bibliography 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Asia and Pacific Region is home to nearly half the world’s children, including large numbers of street children. This paper provides an introductory snapshot of issues concerning “street children” in this vast and culturally diverse region. Although the term “street children” is neither a precise, nor very useful classification for children “on” or “of” the street, the term does serve as a point of engagement in considering the variety of issues and problems facing far too many vulnerable children in urban centers throughout the Asia and Pacific region. The circumstances and experiences of “street children” overlap with several other categories of children, such as trafficked children, migrant children, and working children. There also is overlap with a range of problems and difficulties confronting too many children, including endemic poverty, domestic and/or sexual abuse and other violence, hazardous working conditions, exploitative labor, substance abuse, conflict with the law and juvenile justice, as well as the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Some street children are highly visible, and the subject of public concern because they are “out of place”.
    [Show full text]
  • Epidemic of Abuse — Police Harassment
    July 2002 Vol 14, No 5 (C) INDIA EPIDEMIC OF ABUSE: POLICE HARASSMENT OF HIV/AIDS OUTREACH WORKERS IN INDIA [ADVANCE COPY] Table of Contents I. SUMMARY...........................................................................................................................................................3 II. RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................................................6 To the Government of India ...................................................................................................................................6 To the National AIDS Control Organisation..........................................................................................................6 To the World Bank, United Nations agencies and bilateral donors supporting HIV/AIDS programs in India: ....7 III. METHODS .........................................................................................................................................................7 IV. BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS IN INDIA ...........................................................................................................8 V. ABUSES AGAINST HIV/AIDS OUTREACH WORKERS ............................................................................11 Human rights abuses linked to HIV/AIDS outreach to women in prostitution....................................................11 Human rights abuses linked to HIV/AIDS outreach to men who have sex with men..........................................19
    [Show full text]
  • Courtesans in Colonial India Representations of British Power Through Understandings of Nautch-Girls, Devadasis, Tawa’Ifs, and Sex-Work, C
    Courtesans in Colonial India Representations of British Power through Understandings of Nautch-Girls, Devadasis, Tawa’ifs, and Sex-Work, c. 1750-1883 by Grace E. S. Howard A Thesis presented to The University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History Guelph, Ontario, Canada © Grace E. S. Howard, May, 2019 ABSTRACT COURTESANS IN COLONIAL INDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF BRITISH POWER THROUGH UNDERSTANDINGS OF NAUTCH-GIRLS, DEVADASIS, TAWA’IF, AND SEX-WORK, C. 1750-1883 Grace E. S. Howard Advisors: University of Guelph Dr. Jesse Palsetia Dr. Norman Smith Dr. Kevin James British representations of courtesans, or nautch-girls, is an emerging area of study in relation to the impact of British imperialism on constructions of Indian womanhood. The nautch was a form of dance and entertainment, performed by courtesans, that originated in early Indian civilizations and was connected to various Hindu temples. Nautch performances and courtesans were a feature of early British experiences of India and, therefore, influenced British gendered representations of Indian women. My research explores the shifts in British perceptions of Indian women, and the impact this had on imperial discourses, from the mid-eighteenth through the late nineteenth centuries. Over the course of the colonial period examined in this research, the British increasingly imported their own social values and beliefs into India. British constructions of gender, ethnicity, and class in India altered ideas and ideals concerning appropriate behaviour, sexuality, sexual availability, and sex-specific gender roles in the subcontinent. This thesis explores the production of British lifestyles and imperial culture in India and the ways in which this influenced their representation of courtesans.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Drug Use on the Street Children 11
    National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) A Trainer’s Manual on drug use prevention, treatment and care for street children A Trainer’s Manual on drug use prevention, treatment and care for street children National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) A Trainer’s Manual on Drug Use Prevention, Treatment and Care for Street Children Acknowledgments Acknowledgments We are grateful to Shri Chaitanya Murty- Director NISD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, We are grateful to Shri Chaitanya Murty- Director NISD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, Ms. Cristina Albertin, Representative, UNODC, ROSA & Mr. Sunil Kumar, Government of India, Ms. Cristina Albertin, Representative, UNODC, ROSA & Mr. Sunil Kumar, Deputy Director, NCDAP-NISD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India for Deputy Director, NCDAP-NISD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India for their guidance and support. their guidance and support. Our sincere thanks to the authors: Our sincere thanks to the authors: Dr. Anju Dhawan- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS Dr. Anju Dhawan- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Dr. Shekhar Sheshadri- NIMHANS Dr. Shekhar Sheshadri- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore Ms. Rita Panicker- Butterflies Ms. Rita Panicker- Butterflies, New Delhi Dr. Koushik Sinha Deb- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS Dr. Koushik Sinha Deb- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Dr. Prashanth.R- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS Dr. Prashanth.R- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Mr. Raj Kumar Raju- Indian Harm Reduction Network Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Study on Child Abuse: INDIA 2007
    Study on Child Abuse: INDIA 2007 Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India © Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India 2007 Sketches used in the report have been drawn by Child Respondents Researcher's remarks/observations in the report are from the study itself Printed by Kriti, New Delhi Errors and Omissions: The editors and authors have made every attempt to present factual information. Study on Child Abuse INDIA 2007 Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India A report prepared by: Dr. Loveleen Kacker, IAS Srinivas Varadan Pravesh Kumar Supported by: Dr. Nadeem Mohsin Anu Dixit TABLE OF CONTENTS Message i Foreword iii Preface v List of Abbreviations viii 1. Introduction 01 2. Research Methodology 11 3. Instruments and Standards for Protection of Child Rights 21 4. Profile of Respondents 33 5. Physical Abuse 41 6. Sexual Abuse 71 7. Emotional Abuse and Girl Child Neglect 103 8. Conclusion and Recommendations 119 9. Annexures 127 10. References 192 Smt. Renuka Chowdhury Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India Message The Honorable President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, in his address to the joint session of the Parliament reiterated the government's commitment to women and children: "The rights of women and children and their aspirations are of paramount importance in our march towards an inclusive and equitable society. Keeping in view the Constitutional provisions and in order to give greater focus to issues relating to women and children, an independent Ministry of Women & Child Development has been created.
    [Show full text]
  • The Small Hands of Slavery
    THE SMALL HANDS OF SLAVERY Bonded Child Labor In India Human Rights Watch Children===s Rights Project Human Rights Watch/Asia Human Rights Watch New York $$$ Washington $$$ London $$$ Brussels Copyright 8 September 1996 by Human Rights Watch. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN 1-56432-172-X Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 96-77536 Cover photograph 8 December 1995 by Arvind Ganesan. A young girl working as a bonded laborer in the silk reeling process in Karnataka. All photographs in this report by Arvind Ganesan. Human Rights Watch Children=s Rights Project The Human Rights Watch Children=s Rights Project was established in 1994 to monitor and promote the human rights of children around the world. Lois Whitman is the director, Yodon Thonden is counsel, Lee Tucker, Rosa Ehrenreich, and Arvind Ganesan are consultants. Jane Green Schaller is chair of the Advisory Committee. Human Rights Watch/Asia Human Rights Watch/Asia was established in 1985 to monitor and promote the observance of internationally recognized human rights in Asia. Sidney Jones is the executive director; Mike Jendrzejczyk is the Washington director; Robin Munro is the Hong Kong director; Patricia Gossman is senior researcher; Jeannine Guthrie is NGO Liaison; Dinah PoKempner is counsel; Zunetta Liddell is research associate; Joyce Wan is Henry R. Luce Fellow; Paul Lall and Olga Nousias are associates; Mickey Spiegel is research consultant. Andrew J. Nathan is chair of the advisory committee and Orville Schell is vice chair. Addresses
    [Show full text]
  • Issue of Street Children: Role of Government and Ngos & Coverage by Media
    Issue of Street Children: Role of Government and NGOs & Coverage by Media Rajshree Chatterjee* Street Children is a global urban phenomenon and the number of these children has ever been increasing. These vulnerable street children are worldwide social reality. Most of these children are those who run away from their homes and struggle for survival on their own. The study describes the existing condition of street children in Delhi and makes an assessment of the factors associated with them. The focus is on improving the living condition of street children and protecting them from exploitation. It also underlines the involvement of voluntary agencies, NGOs and government organizations in tackling the problem of street children and doing the needful for their rescue and rehabilitation. It deals with the laws and Acts of the central and state government related to the rights and welfare of street children. The study recommends necessary steps for effective implementation on the schemes and timely release of adequate grants. It re- emphasises the need of fulfilling basic needs, and providing education and vocational training to street 1. Introduction children. The role of media in covering and highlighting the issue of street children has also been discussed in the study. Street Children: The Indian Scenario It involves analyses of the role of media in the reorientation Street children are a worldwide phenomenon and the number of of people by exposing them to the real issue and making these children has been increasing. These are the runaway them appreciate the problem of street children. children who struggle for their survival.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Better Tomorrow – Child Rights and Health
    Towards A Better Tomorrow Child Rights and Health World Health Organization South East Asia Region World Health Organization Publications of the World Health Organization enjoy copyright protection in accordance with the provision of Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Con- vention. For rights of reproduction or translation, in part or in toto, of publica- tions issued by the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, application should be made to the Regional Office for South-East Asia, World Health House, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110 002, India. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publica- tion do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the world Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Towards A Better Tomorrow Child Rights and Health Message from the Regional Director The healthy growth and development of children is crucial to the future of any society. Health and well- being are an integral part of the child’s right to life, survival and development. We live in a world where inequity, poverty, underdevelopment persist – a world of unequal and inadequate access to food, health and care. There are huge gaps between the rich and the poor and children bear the brunt of inequality. The principle of human rights is universal and each child, including the adolescent, is entitled to fundamental rights and freedom. WHO’s mandate is universal, as enshrined in our Constitution. It calls for equity: “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition”.
    [Show full text]
  • A Civil Society Forum for South Asia on Promoting and Protecting The
    AA CivilCivil SocietySociety ForumForum forfor SouthSouth AsiaAsia onon PromotingPromoting andand ProtectingProtecting thethe RightsRights ofof StreetStreet ChildrenChildren 12-1412-14 DecemberDecember 20012001 -- Colombo,Colombo, SriSri LankaLanka 0 Organised by Consortium for Street Children 0 In partnership with ChildHope and Protecting Environment And Children Everywhere (PEACE) Working collaboratively with its members, the Consortium for Street Children co-ordinates a network for distributing information and sharing expertise around the world. Representing the voice of many, we speak as one for the rights of street children wherever they may be. Formed in 1993, the Consortium for Street Children is a network of non-governmental organisations which work with street-living children, street-working children and children at risk of taking to life on the streets. The Consortium’s work is firmly rooted in the standards enshrined in the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Its efforts are focused on building its member agencies’ capacity to work with street children and on advocacy in the areas of child rights, poverty alleviation and social exclusion. Acknowledgements The Consortium for Street Children (CSC) wishes to thank the partners: Commonwealth Foundation, UK Department for International Development (DFID), Misereor, World Vision UK, UNICEF country office Sri Lanka, ILO country office Sri Lanka, Plan International Sri Lanka, and the local offices of the Governments of Sweden (SIDA) and Canada (CIDA) for their generous support of the conference. We extend our appreciation to Save the Children UK, Hope for Children and Sri Lanka Interactive Media Group – Colombo (SLIMG-COLOMBO) for supporting and facilitating the input of street children into the opening ceremony of the forum on 12 December 2001.
    [Show full text]