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Summary: As in so many other countries in the world,
many children in South Africa suffer corporal
punishment and other forms of humiliating and
degrading punishment in the home, in the
school and in different institutions. Less than 20 countries worldwide have adopted legislation to prohibit
corporal punishment of children. In addition, a number of countries have
outlawed corporal punishment of children in schools and other institutions.
The global movement to reverse the culture of corporal punishment and
other forms of humiliating and degrading punishment of children is gaining
momentum. It is based on a growing understanding of children as holders
of rights, and the growing body of evidence from medical, educational and
psychological authorities on the negative effects of corporal punishment
and its ineffectiveness as a method of discipline.
Corporal punishment of children violates children’s human rights to physical
integrity and human dignity, as upheld by the UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the
Child (ACRWC), as well as the South African Constitution.
It is the obligation of all states around the world to ensure that children’s
right to a life free from violence, including corporal punishment and other
forms of humiliating and degrading punishment, is protected. Children’s
right to a life free from violence also extends into the private life and home
of the child.
Defenders of corporal punishment suggest that children are different. But
their differences – their dependence, developmental state and fragility –
do not reduce their human rights or justify less protection from all forms of
violence, including corporal punishment.
This publication aims to provide information about corporal punishment and
other forms of humiliating and degrading punishment of children in South
Africa. It outlines international obligations to prohibit the corporal
punishment of children and to engage in public education. It provides
recommendations on steps to be taken by the government and civil society
to ensure that the culture of corporal punishment and other forms of
humiliating and degrading punishment of children is replaced by positive,
non-violent forms of discipline based on respect for children’s rights.
In this publication, a child is referred to as a person below the age of 18
years in accordance with the CRC.
Corporal punishment of children violates children’s human rights to physical
integrity and human dignity, as upheld by the UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the
Child (ACRWC), as well as the Zambian Constitution.
It is the obligation of all states around the world to ensure that children’s
right to a life free from violence, including from corporal punishment and
other forms of humiliating and degrading punishment, is protected.
Children’s right to a life free from violence also extends into the private life
and home of the child.
Defenders of corporal punishment suggest that children are different. But
their differences – their dependence, developmental state and fragility –
do not reduce their human rights or justify less protection from all forms of
violence, including corporal punishment.
This publication aims to provide information about corporal punishment and
other forms of humiliating and degrading punishment of children in Zambia.
It outlines international obligations to prohibit the corporal punishment of
children and to engage in public education. It provides recommendations
on steps to be taken by the government and civil society to ensure that
the culture of corporal punishment and other forms of humiliating and
degrading punishment of children is replaced by positive, non-violent forms
of discipline based on respect for children’s rights.
In this publication, a child is referred to as a person below the age of 18
years in accordance with the CRC.
Owner: Ms Ulrika Soneson, Save the Children Sweden, Pretoria pdf: www.crin.org/docs/resources/publications/violence/SCS-SouthAfrica.pdf