Some women use the word as an affectation.
It has a troubled and mixed etymological history, but it is generally agreed that a a base level it all relates to having gathered knowledge either by age or study.
Most so called witches persecuted at one time or another in history were midwives and herbalist, being put out of business by the churches. Medicine, healing and midwifery was becoming the province of monastic and orders of nuns, and frankly they did not want the competition.
Today it seems to be used as a catch all term for practicing new age and neo pagan women.

I have a friend who has described herself as a witch, whatever that means.

catholicbridge.com/catholic/burning_times_inquisition_witches.php
In the last 20 years virtually all reputable secular historians have revised witch death rates to 40,000 - 60,000, and that less than 500 of those deaths were caused directly by the Church through the Inquisition. Although these deaths are inexcusable, they are a long way from the 9 million number.

There is no such thing as a witch. Black Witch, White Witch, Wicked Witch of the West. No such thing. Unfortunately women and some men are still being killed as witches/witchdoctors around the world.

As for the Vatican Tim Minchin sums it up brilliantly....caution adult language

Im married to one

Of course I do! WICCA is an old belief system and resurged during the resurgence of feminism. Now..ask me if I think their ''castings'' and ''spells'' actually work....that's a very different matter.