International Day to end corporal punishment observed

NHT Report

ISLAMABAD, May 1: United Global Organization of Development (UGOOD) and National Action Coordination Group (NACG) Pakistan in collaboration with Hashoo Foundation, National Commission on the Rights of Children (NCRC) and Ministry of Human Rights ( MoHR) Government of Pakistan organized a Child-Led Media briefing to raise the voice and take urgent action on "International Day to End Corporal Punishment 2022" at National Press Club, Islamabad on April 30, 2022.

Ms. MehwishKayani (National Coordinator NACG - Pakistan) said Corporal punishment is physical punishment is intended to cause physical pain to a person. Corporal punishment encompasses all types of physical punishment, including spanking, slapping, pinching, pulling, twisting, and hitting with an object. Many studies have shown that physical punishment, including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children.

The International Day

is

an opportunity to show support for all child victims of corporal punishment and call for better protection of children as human rights holders. Government has committed to ending violence against children by 2030, but corporal punishment continues to blight billions of children's lives.

M. Ali Haider (Askariya School) stated "Children have consistently expressed the urgent need to stop all this violence. He added evidence tells us that Corporal Punishment has various harmful effects on children. Physical harm has killed thousands of children, injured.

Syed Abdul AhadGilani (Future World School) said Corporal punishment remains the most common form of violence against children. Worldwide around 4 in 5 of all children aged 2-14 years are subjected to it in their home every year (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression).

Ms. HaniaShafique (Froebel's International School) said Globally, only 14% of children are fully protected by law from corporal punishment. Its widespread social acceptance means that a degree of violence in childrearing is normalized, entrenching children's low status in society and opening the door to other forms of violence and mistreatment.

The ICT Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill effectively bans all forms of corporal punishment ."

Mr. Tajdar Hashmi (Boy Child Member of NCRC) said Prohibition is still to be achieved in the home, alternative care settings, day care, some schools, some penal institutions and as a sentence for crime.

Corporal punishment is prohibited in schools in Sindh and in the Islamabad Capital Territory; it is prohibited for 5-16-year-olds in government schools in Punjab and possibly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prohibition should now be extended to schools throughout Pakistan, for children of all ages, and including in non-government schools.

Ms. FaryalJaved (Girl Child Member of NCRC) said the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has directed heads of all institutions to be vigilant against corporal punishment as a stringent law in this regard has been passed by the parliament and has come into force in the capital. Under the new law, teachers found involved in corporal punishment could face compulsory retirement and dismissal from service.-PR