Child rights organizations in Uganda have come together to form a coalition on positive discipline to commemorate the international day to end corporal punishment.
Led by Raising Voices, a non-governmental organization preventing violence against children and women, the organizations through the coalition will engage all stakeholders on the need to embrace positive discipline in raising and guiding children at school, home and communities.
“The launch is in commemoration of the international day to end corporal punishment but the work to attract more partners to the cause will continue in schools and communities”. Technical advisor, VAC influencing at Raising Voices, Hope Wambi noted.
Launching the coalition, the state minister for primary education, Dr. Joyce Moriku in a speech read for her by the commissioner basic education, Dr. Cleophas Mugyenyi admitted to the fact that corporal punishment continues to happen in schools despite the ban calling upon all stakeholders to change because it affects children.
“Positive discipline is key in nurturing learners and we encourage parents, teachers and all guardians to embrace positive ways of disciplining children. I invite you to learn about the alternatives to corporal punishment” Dr.Moriku said.
Up to 1.3 billion children are experiencing corporal punishment annually worldwide and in Uganda violence against children continues to prevail with the most dominant being physical violence.
