A/HRC/42/43/Add.2 Violence, maltreatment and abuse: the scourge of demons and accusations of witchcraft 96. The Independent Expert expresses concerns at the use of accusations of witchcraft against older persons, and particularly older women, to validate abuse, violence and neglect, or even to excuse killings. She notes that witchcraft-related beliefs and practices are too often used as an explanation for undiagnosed dementia and other cognitive health conditions. She stresses that action is imperative to eliminate those patterns and calls on the Government, civil society actors and community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, the traditional curandeiros (healers) and others, to unite and form a front against the scourge of accusations of demonic possession and witchcraft. She recommends a joint initiative starting with a symbolic and representative declaration to socially denounce and condemn all accusations of witchcraft and associated views, and acts that lead to older women being considered as “possessed by demons” or “evil witches”. 97. The Independent Expert emphasizes that a concerted, joint and prioritized effort is urgently needed to engage constructively with the field of spirits. She urges the Government to develop an action plan, along with an awareness-raising and educational campaign. She emphasizes the importance of involving the federation of traditional curandeiros, in view of the key role it could play in socially ostracizing such practices. She also recommends that geriatric specialists and gerontologists be included in the conduct of educational information campaigns regarding ageing, dementia and the prevalence of other cognitive health conditions. Normative action and dedicated remedy mechanisms should focus on providing effective measures to protect older women accused of witchcraft from maltreatment and abuse and carrying out awareness-raising programmes among the population, in particular in rural areas, on the adverse effects of such practices. 98. The Independent Expert expresses concerns about the violence against and abuse and maltreatment of older persons beyond accusations of witchcraft. While acknowledging that the Government recognizes that gender-based violence is a serious concern, she stresses the need for further normative measures and mechanisms to ensure the detection, reporting and investigation of all forms of abuse and maltreatment of older persons in institutional care and in family settings. Training judges, lawyers and prosecutors is essential to ensuring that the investigation of cases of violence against older persons signals to the community that violence against and abuse of older persons are serious crimes and will be treated as such. 99. The Independent Expert notes that there is a general lack of awareness among older persons in Mozambique about national policies and laws and about their human rights and that this correlates with the tendency to underreport cases of violence and abuse involving older persons. There is a need to establish educational programmes on the rights of older persons that target them specifically, as well as the rights of informal caregivers and the extended family, to help improve disclosure of abusive experiences. When targeting older persons, there is a need to take into account the high levels of illiteracy and the marked linguistic diversity. Adequate standards of living and autonomy 100. The Independent Expert notes that, while poverty has been reduced in Mozambique, there is more inequality, as economic progress becomes increasingly less inclusive. Positive developments, including an acceleration in the rate of poverty reduction, are being accompanied by a widening gap between the better-off and the poor, hindering the country’s progress in achieving shared prosperity and making it now among the most unequal countries in sub-Saharan Africa.37 Although some of the inequalities that persist are the legacy of colonial rule, war and conflict, the Independent Expert stresses that it does not mean that existing disparities are acceptable. She urges the Government to take measures for a more inclusive economic 37 16 See World Bank, “Mozambique economic update. Shifting to more inclusive growth” (October 2018).