[@NecroKnight] Zerrikania is indeed governed by a matriarchy. However-- Witchers are often chosen by force (aka, chosen individuals were kidnapped or taken away from their parents). Witchers undergo extensive and rigourous training prior to be subjected to the Trial of Grasses and prior to mutagens which taxes the recipient's body greatly and often kills the majority of the male candidates (which in the lore is assumed that it means that female recipients would not survive the process). The [i]only[/i] exception so far (I say this loosely) is Ciri, Geralt's daughter who only went through the training but not the Trial.