Today Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day to End Corporal Punishment, observed annually on April 30th.
Despite global initiatives aimed at safeguarding children from abuse and violence by 2030, as outlined in SDG 16.2, corporal punishment remains distressingly prevalent.
On this occasion, we acknowledge the hazards associated with corporal punishment and its enduring impact on children's lives, as voiced directly by children themselves. High Sound for Children through media club activities within schools gave an opportunity to children to share and they expressed their frustrations, with many harbouring feelings of resentment and even contemplating retaliation against those who subject them to harsh treatment.
Children not only endure physical pain, but also grapple with emotions such as sadness, fear, anger, shame, and guilt. Moreover, the threat of corporal punishment induces physiological stress and activates neural pathways associated with responding to danger.
In response to these challenges, children have proposed alternative disciplinary approaches that parents, guardians, and educators can adopt in lieu of corporal punishment.
The World Health Organization highlights that corporal punishment elicits harmful psychological and physiological responses. While the Government of Uganda has demonstrated its commitment to global efforts to eradicate corporal punishment through the formulation of legislation, some stakeholders identify gaps in the law's implementation. Additionally, existing policies may lack the necessary stringency to effectively address the issue.