Protecting children
April 30, 2021
Today, April 30, marks the International Day to End Corporal Punishment – bringing global attention to the widespread use of the most common form of violence against children.
Around the world 62 states have so far universalized the prohibition of corporal punishment in all settings, including the home, with a further 27 states committing to also enact full prohibition. Outside of the home, the prohibition of corporal punishment is much more widespread with 135 states prohibiting corporal punishment in schools.
The number of countries now universalizing the prohibition of corporal punishment is growing every month. The International Day to End Corporal Punishment seeks to accelerate this progress so that all children are protected from this violence.
A large number of students drop out of schools due to physical abuse
Hands stretched forward, ready to receive a blow on the knuckles from the teacher’s ruler or stick. Being sent to the principal’s office for caning. Forced to stand in the corner of the classroom or outside its door. Made to sit on a dustbin during class, resulting in humiliation. The images that come to mind when we mention corporal punishment at schools, vary. But for many schoolchildren in Pakistan, punishments can be much more severe even deadly.
In January 2018, a nine-year-old boy, Mohammad Hussain, was beaten to death by his madrassah teacher, Najmuddin, in Eidu Goth of Bin Qasim Town in Karachi, because the boy had escaped from the seminary.
In rare unity, MNAs jump to child’s defence
NA unanimously passes bill against corporal punishment
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The lower house of parliament on Tuesday unanimously gave the final nod to a legislation that when enacted would make corporal punishment and humiliation of children a punishable offence with minor and major penalties for the violators.
The National Assembly showed rare unity in passing the bill, as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle were on the same page – against hitting children.
“The child has the right to be shown respect for his personality and individuality and shall not be made to corporal punishment or any other humiliating or degrading treatment,” Section 3 of the Islamabad Capitol Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act, 2019, stated.