Scapegoated women in history

Throughout history, women often faced scapegoating during times of social breakdown and fear, but their roles extended far beyond the negative labels assigned to them. The women considered witches were in fact bearers of crucial knowledge, particularly during crises such as plagues and institutional failures. These women understood the intricate cycles of nature and human biology, including herbs, birth, and menstrual cycles, which were seen as threatening to patriarchal institutions that failed to provide answers or control. Their wisdom was embedded in practical and spiritual knowledge that many communities relied upon for healing and survival. In my own research and experience, I have seen how the narrative of women as villains or evil witches is a gross oversimplification. These women were often healers and midwives who preserved essential health practices. Their 'visibility during collapse' was less about supernatural power and more about their roles in holding together fragile societies when orthodox systems could not. Recognizing the history of scapegoated women helps us challenge the harmful stereotypes and recover lost knowledge that can still inspire contemporary discussions around gender, healing, and societal resilience. Instead of pretending that these women embodied magic alone, we should remember their real contributions to community wellbeing and cultural continuity.