Child protection experts and civil society organizations working to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation have urged the Government of Punjab and particularly the School Education Department to expedite the enactment of legislation prohibiting corporal punishment in all government, private and religious educational institutions. This call to action was made on the occasion of the International Day to End Corporal Punishment, during anaction meeting of various Civil Society Organizations to strategies the future directions for outlawing Corporal Punishment in Punjab, hosted by Search for Justice and Children Advocacy Network- CAN Pakistan. The International Day to End Corporal Punishment is our opportunity to show support for all child victims of corporal punishment and call for urgent and accelerated action to end violent punishment, said by the activists and experts.
Child Rights Activist and Executive Director Search for Justice Iftikhar Mubarik explained that corporal punishment is the most prevalent form of violence against children. It involves the use of physical force intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort and violates children’s rights to human dignity and physical integrity. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Pakistan has committed to protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect, as outlined in Article 19 of the UNCRC. Furthermore, the government has pledged to the Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate all forms of violence by 2030, underscoring the need for a zero-tolerance policy on violence against children. Corporal punishment violates children’s human rights to respect for their human dignity and physical integrity, as well as their rights to health, development, education and freedom from violence, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, said by Mr. Iftikhar Mubarik.
Rashida Qureshi, the focal person for the Children Advocacy Network – CAN Pakistan, emphasized the urgency of launching a comprehensive campaign to educate the public about the harmful effects of corporal punishment on children’s development. She stressed that raising awareness is key to changing societal norms and protecting children. She further added that comprehensive legislation for prohibiting corporal punishment in various settings could be a major step. However, consistency in social and behavioral changes is crucial to altering public perceptions of using corporal punishment to discipline children.
Syed Miqdad Mehdi, a legal expert on child protection, noted that while Sindh enacted a law to prohibit corporal punishment in 2016 and the National Assembly passed the ICT Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act 2021, Punjab is also progressing with its draft of the Punjab Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act. He urged the School Education Department to collaborate with child protection-focused organizations to ensure the draft law is inclusive and comprehensive by incorporating expert feedback.
Clinical Psychologist Fatima Tahir, associated with Search for Justice, shared that corporal punishment can have lasting psychological effects on children, including increased anxiety, depression, and lowered self-esteem. Studies indicate that such punitive measures can impede emotional development and foster aggressive behavior later in life. It is crucial to create environments that promote positive disciplinary practices to support the healthy psychological growth of our children.
Abeeha Batool, a 15-year-old child representative who recently participated in the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, also urged the Punjab Government to address the prohibition of corporal punishment through the enactment of law. She further added that the Department of Education should initiate a mandatory program for all teachers in government, private, and religious institutions on the alternatives to corporal punishment, so that children can learn without fear.
