Child Rights activists in Uganda are calling for a ban on Corporal punishment in all settings to reduce the increasing cases of abuse in homes and communities.
In 2016, government banned corporal punishment in institutional setting that include schools but not in homes.
The recommendation by child rights activists is rooted in a joint statement by over 150 child rights organizations condemning the increasing acts of corporal punishment involving parents.
On Tuesday, SPARK TV a local Ugandan TV, aired a story showing a mother assaulting son for losing 5000 Ugandan shillings.
"We, as members of the Uganda Child Rights Ngo Network are deeply concerned by the growing reports of violence in homes involving children with the latest incident being brought to light by the viral video of a 10 years old boy who was being assaulted by the mother. Physical violence such as slapping, beating, punching, and kicking remain the normal mode of "discipline" in many homes while corporal punishment is still practiced in schools despite being banned by law". The statement reads in part.
The activists want government to strengthen child protection structures at all levels, ensure continued enforcement of the ban on corporal punishment in all institutional settings and homes and for it to popularize the national parenting guidelines.
They advise parents and caregivers to use their hands to nurture, support and guide children instead of using them for violence.
This comes at a time when the Joining Forces Alliance is running a social behavioural change campaign on physical violence against children in homes under the tagline "Hands4Good".
