Why the Fight for Women’s Equality Still Echoes the Shadows of the Witch Hunts
- Jun 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Written by Sophie Reyer, Author
Sophie Anna Reyer is an Austrian author of multiple theater pieces and publications. She was born in Vienna, Austria. Reyer discovered her various profound talents in the arts at a young age as a child prodigy.
In 2024, I published “Hexensommer”, “witches summer”, a novel about strong women, and it was very important for me to do some research about so-called witches in Europe. The witch hunt is one of the darkest chapters in European history. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, countless women and occasionally men were tortured, condemned, and executed based on vague suspicions and baseless accusations. But this gruesome practice was more than just a historical slip-up. It was an expression of a deep-rooted fear of women who did not conform to prevailing social norms. Women who thought independently, had knowledge, or simply did not fit the mold became targets. The parallels to today's debate about women's rights and equality are frighteningly clear.
Witch hunt then and now
The mechanisms of exclusion have changed, but they still exist. In the past, a suspicious look or a careless word was enough to accuse women of being witches. Today, it's subtle prejudice, unequal pay, and glass ceilings that prevent women from reaching their full potential. History shows us that fear and insecurity are often the breeding ground for oppression. Back then, this fear was used to silence women; today, it lives on in other forms.
The fear of strong women
Women who raise their voices, express their opinions, or rise to positions of power still face attacks today. The defamation of strong women is not a relic of the past. It is a present. Whether in politics, business, or culture, women who question existing structures are often confronted with mistrust, devaluation, or outright hostility. The witch hunts of the Middle Ages may be over, but the fear of strong, self-determined women remains.
Even in modern companies, old ways of thinking are still omnipresent. Women continue to fight for fair promotions, often earn less than men, and must constantly prove their competence. Women are still underrepresented, especially in leadership positions. The connection to the history of witch hunts lies in the fear of a shift in power. Back then, it was the fear of women who had knowledge. Today, it is the fear of women who could seize power. Companies that recognize these structures and purposefully dismantle them not only create a fairer environment but also increase their economic strength. Diverse teams in which equality is practiced are demonstrably more innovative and productive.
The dangerous breeding ground for inequality
It's easy to view the witch hunts as a gruesome chapter in history and draw a line under them. But the mindsets that led to the persecution back then continue to have subtle repercussions today. They are part of social structures that still discriminate against women. Whether through stereotypical role models, a lack of role models, or structural barriers, equality remains a challenge. Examining the witch hunts is a wake-up call. It challenges us to take a closer look and ask critical questions: Where are we still following old patterns of thinking? Where do we need to be bolder to bring about real change?
Society's responsibility
Every generation has a responsibility not to repeat the mistakes of the past. It's not enough to be outraged by historical injustices. It's about actively questioning and changing structures. Women must no longer have to live with subtle or overt forms of oppression. History warns us to remain vigilant because equality is not a state, but a process that must be fought for anew every day.
Women's rights as a factor for economic success
Equality is no longer just a women's issue. Companies that promote diversity demonstrably gain innovative power and economic strength. When women are given the same opportunities as men, everyone benefits. Flexible working models, fair pay, and targeted development programs are not only morally right but also economically worthwhile. Those who invest in equality today secure tomorrow's success.
Education as the Key to Change
Education plays a central role in the fight for equality. Only those who understand the mechanisms of discrimination can break them. Schools and educational institutions have a responsibility to break stereotypical role models and actively promote gender equality. A critical examination of the history of witch hunts offers a valuable approach to teaching children and young people the importance of equality at an early age.
Solidarity as a driver of change
Social change requires more than just individuals committed to equality. Only through lived solidarity does a collective force emerge that can break through outdated structures. Women and men must assume responsibility together to create a fair society. Networks, mentoring programs, and open exchanges about obstacles and successes are crucial to achieving sustainable change. Only through mutual support can a society emerge in which equality is a given.
Looking forward
The story of the witch hunt may be over, but its shadow reaches into our time. It reminds us how dangerous prejudice and abuse of power can be. Yet it also shows that change is possible. It is up to us to be courageous and fight existing inequalities. For a society in which women are no longer punished for their strength, but celebrated for their talents.
Equality is not a gift. It is a right and it is time to enforce this right everywhere.
Read more from Sophie Reyer
Sophie Reyer, Author
Sophie Anna Reyer is an Austrian author of multiple theater pieces and publications. She was born in Vienna, Austria. Reyer discovered her various profound talents in the arts at a young age as a child prodigy. She is a writer of theater pieces (S. Fischer) and novels (emons) and was shortlistet for the Austrian Book Award in 2019 and 2021.
