corporal punishment of children: summaries of · pdf filesummaries of prevalence and...

Corporal punishment of children:summaries of prevalence and attitudinalresearch in the last 10 years – Africa

Prepared by the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishmentof Children (www.endcorporalpunishment.org,[email protected])

Algeria

UNICEF (2010), Child Disciplinary Practices at Home: Evidence from a Range of Low- and Middle-Income Countries, NY:UNICEF

A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 87% of children aged 2-14 hadexperienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Three quarters of children experienced physical punishment, while a muchsmaller percentage (16%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary inchildrearing; non-violent discipline was also very widely used, experienced by 90% of children. A quarterof children were severely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and overwith an implement) and 84% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamedat or insulted). Boys were slightly more likely than girls to experience violent discipline: 89% comparedto 87%. Children aged 5-9 were slightly more likely to experience violent discipline than other children:90% of 5-9 year olds compared to 85% of 2-4 year olds and 87% of 10-14 year olds. Children in largerhouseholds were more likely to experience violent discipline: 88% of children in households of 6 or morepeople compared to 82% in households of 2-3 people. The statistics also suggest that children with moresiblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in the study. Nosignificant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to level ofeducation of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.

Reported in Echorouk Online, 6 January 2008

Research reported in 2008 found that of 1,700 Algerian families, 70% whip their children and useviolence for disciplinary reasons. The most commonly used implements in corporal punishment werefound to be rocks and shoes; parents also reported using their hands to beat children’s faces and heads.Punishments often resulted in injuries and bruising.

Ministère de la Santé, de la Population et de la Réforme Hospitalière, UNICEF & UNFPA (2015), Suivi de la situation desenfants et des femmes: Enquête par Grappes à Indicateurs Multiples (MICS) 2012-2013, Algiers, Algeria: Ministère de la Santé,

de la Population et de la Réforme Hospitalière

According to a 2012-2013 survey, 71% of children age 2–14 years were subjected to physical punishmentduring the month preceding the survey, with 23% of children subjected to severe physical punishment. Incontrast, only 18% of respondents believed that physical punishment is needed to educate a child. A totalof 86% of children were subjected to at least one form of psychological or physical punishment by theirparents or other adult household members, while 9% of children experienced only non-violent discipline.

Benin

SOS Children’s Villages International (2012), A Snapshot of Alternative Care Arrangements in Benin

A 2012 assessment of alternative care in Benin found that there were persistent reports of children inalternative care institutions being physically punished.

Research List 18/03/2016 1

Prevalence/attitudinal research in the last 10 years

Ministère de la Famille et de la Solidarité National (2009), Les Violences Faites aux Femmes au Bénin

A 2009 study involving interviews with girls aged 6-14 and the mothers of girls aged 2-5 and a survey of4,649 women and 1,550 men found that corporal punishment at home and in schools was very commonand that 88.5% of 2-5 year old girls, 88% of 5-9 year old girls and 87.7% of girls aged 10-14 had beenbeaten. When asked about the reasons for violence, 85.5% of interviewees said it was for “education”.Half of interviewees said that violence to girls resulted in “submission”, 32.9% “scars on the body”, 9.9%“timidity” and 1.7% “death”.

Botswana

Reported in Daily News, 13 June 2007

In June 2007, the Education Secretary for Ngami region reported a Baseline Study which found that 92%of students had been beaten in school and that this was supported by 67% of parents.

Reported in correspondence with the Global Initiative, February 2006

In survey research by DITSHWANELO on corporal punishment in schools, about 90% of respondentssaid they used corporal punishment on children.

Burkina Faso


A UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 83% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Over 60% experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage(38%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing; non-violentdiscipline was also widely used, experienced by 82% of children. More than one child in five experiencedsevere physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over withan implement), 84% psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).Children aged 5-9 were slightly more likely to experience violent discipline than those of other ages (91%of 5-9 year olds compared to 84% of 2-4 year olds and 87% of 10-14 year olds). No significantdifferences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to sex, household size,level of education of adults in the household, or engagement in child labour.

The African Child Policy Forum (2010), Childhood Scars in Africa: A Retrospective Study on Violence Against Girls in BurkinaFaso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Senegal, Addis Ababa: The African Child Policy Forum

A study by the African Child Policy Forum in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Nigeria and Senegal found that hitting, beating and forced hard work were the most prevalentforms of violence against girls, and that most of the physical violence experienced by girls was corporalpunishment. The study involved a survey of 3,025 young women (nearly 600 per country) aged 18-24about the violence they had experienced in their childhood. In Burkina Faso, 91% had been hit duringtheir childhood, 88% beaten, 51% kicked, 51% denied food, 27% choked or burned and 43% forced to dohard work. Parents and close relatives were the most common perpetrators of physical violence.

Burundi

Human Rights Watch (2007), Paying the price: Violations of the rights of children in detention in Burundi

Interviews with children in conflict with the law and with parents and law enforcement officials, carriedout by Human Rights Watch in 2006-2007, found that many children had been beaten and suffered otherill treatment while in detention.



Cameroon

The African Child Policy Forum (2010), Violence Against Children With Disabilities in Africa: Field Studies from Cameroon,Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia, Addis Ababa: The African Child Policy Forum

A 2010 African Child Policy Forum report on violence against children with disabilities in Cameroon,Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia documented a very high level of violence. Nearly a thousand 18-24 year olds took part in the study across the five countries, reporting on their experiences as children. InCameroon, over 50% had been hit, punched, kicked or beaten, over 25% made to eat hot chilli, pepper orvery bitter food or drink, and over 25% choked, burnt or stabbed. Across the five countries, 23% said theyhad experienced physical violence which was “mostly discipline, reasonable and justified” and 27%physical violence which was “mostly discipline but not reasonable or justified”; 26% said they hadexperienced emotional violence which was “discipline, but not reasonable or justified”, 22% emotionalviolence that was “disciplinary, reasonable and justified”. Across all five countries, more than half (54%)of those who had been physically beaten said they had suffered broken bones, teeth, bleeding or bruising;2% had been permanently disabled; 21% required medical attention; 13% had to miss school or work, and20% had needed rest at home. For all five countries, the majority of respondents with physical, visual andintellectual disabilities experienced physical violence more than 10 times. The report recommendsprohibition of all corporal punishment, including in the home, as a way to minimise the risk of violenceagainst children with disabilities.


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 93% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Nearly eight in ten experienced physical punishment, while a smallerpercentage (44%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing;non-violent discipline was also widely used, experienced by 82% of children. Nearly three children in tenwere severely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with animplement), 87% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at orinsulted). Children engaged in child labour experienced violent discipline more than those who were notengaged in child labour, 96% compared to 93%. No significant differences in children’s experience ofviolent discipline were found according to sex, age, household size or level of education of adults in thehousehold.


A study by the African Child Policy Forum in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Nigeria and Senegal found that hitting, beating and forced hard work were the most prevalentforms of violence against girls, and that most of the physical violence experienced by girls was corporalpunishment. The study involved a survey of 3,025 young women (nearly 600 per country) aged 18-24about the violence they had experienced in their childhood. In Cameroon, 43% of respondents had beenhit during their childhood, 66% beaten, 21% kicked, 31% denied food, 7% choked or burned and 18%forced to do hard work. Parents and close relatives were the most common perpetrators of physicalviolence.

UNICEF (2009), Progress for Children: A report card on child protection, NY: UNICEF

According to statistics collected in 2005-2006 by UNICEF, children with disabilities were more likely tohave experienced severe physical punishment in the home in the month prior to the survey (30% of 2-9year olds with disabilities were hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over as hard aspossible with an implement, compared with 24% of children without disabilities).



Morgan, J. & Behrendt, A. (2007), Silent Suffering: The psychological impact of war, HIV and other high-risk situations ongirls and boys in West and Central Africa: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Dakar: Plan West Africa

A study of children who had lost their parent(s) due to HIV-related illnesses exposed a high level ofphysical violence and corporal punishment in the home. The study involved 180 children: 70% of boyswithout a mother reported experiencing physical violence in the month before the study, as did 62% ofnon-orphan boys. Between 60% and 70% of non-orphan girls reported suffering physical punishmentduring the same period.

Central African Republic

Mande Djapou, F. (2013), Châtiment Corporel des Enfants en République Centrafricaine 2012-2013, Réseau National des ONGde Jeunesse en Droits de l’Homme

A survey of 2,643 children aged 10-17 in 975 households found that nearly half (49.19 %) of themexperienced corporal punishment, the commonest perpetrators being fathers (56.5%) and mothers(36.11%).

Mimche, H. & Tanang, P. (2013), “Les violences basées sur le genre à l’école en République centrafricaine”, Recherches &Educations, 8, 49-63

A study involving 765 people aged 10 years and older and who attended schools or higher educationinstitutions found that of the 47.2% of respondents (50.9% of males and 45% of females) who had beensmacked, slapped or beaten at school in the past year, 32.9% of males and 34% of females said theperpetrator was a male teacher or other staff member and 2.7% of males and 4.6% of females said theperpetrator was a female teacher or other staff member.

L’Institut Centrafricain des Statistiques, et des Etudes Economiques et Sociales (2012), Enquête par grappes à indicateursmultiples MICS, RCA 2010, Bangui: ICASEES

According to statistics collected in 2010-2011 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator ClusterSurvey programme (MICS4), 92% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physicalpunishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. More thaneight children in ten (81%) experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage (30%) ofmothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing. Thirty-seven per centof children were severe physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and overwith an implement), 84% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed ator insulted).


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 89% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Seventy-eight per cent experienced physical punishment, while a muchsmaller percentage (25%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary inchildrearing; non-violent discipline was also widely used, experienced by 90% of children. A third ofchildren were severely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and overwith an implement), 83% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed ator insulted). Boys were slightly more likely than girls to experience violent discipline (90% compared to88%). Children aged 5-9 were more likely to experience violent discipline than other children (91% of 5-9 year olds compared to 85% of 2-4 year olds and 90% of 10-14 year olds). Children living in largerhouseholds were more likely to experience violent discipline (90% of children in households of 6 or morepeople compared to 83% of children in households of 2-3 people). The statistics also suggest that childrenwith more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in thestudy. No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according tolevel of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.




According to statistics collected in 2005-2005 by UNICEF, children with disabilities were more likely tohave experienced severe physical punishment in the home in the month prior to the survey: 36% of 2-9year olds with disabilities were hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over as hard aspossible with an implement, compared with 28% of children without disabilities.

Chad

République du Tchad Ministère du Plan, de l’Economie et de la Coopération Internationale et al (2013), Enquête par grappes àindicateurs multiples: Tchad 2010

According to statistics collected in 2009 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 84.3% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishmentand/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. More than three quarters(76.6%) experienced physical punishment, 41.1% severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on theface, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement); 70.9% experienced psychologicalaggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).

Congo, Republic of

Reported in Government responses to list of issues adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, 2 December 2013,CRC/C/COG/Q/2-4/Add.1

A 2011 study found that 25.9% of 5-11 year olds and 20.4% of 12-14 year olds had experienced “veryviolent” corporal punishment.

UNICEF (2014), Hidden in Plain Sight: A statistical analysis of violence against children, NY: UNICEF

According to UNICEF statistics collected between 2005 and 2013, 87% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. More than two thirds (69%) experienced physical punishment and 80%experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). A smallerpercentage (22%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing.

Cote d'Ivoire


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 91% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the study. Nearly three quarters experienced physical punishment, while a smallerpercentage (39%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing;non-violent discipline was also widely used, experienced by 91% of children. More than one child in fivewas severely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with animplement), 88% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at orinsulted). No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according tosex, age, household size, level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.



Djibouti


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 72% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Two thirds experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage(31%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing; non-violentdiscipline was also widely used, experienced by 83% of children. More than one child in five wasseverely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with animplement), 57% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at orinsulted). The prevalence of violent discipline rose with age, with 75% of 10-14 year olds experiencing itcompared to 66% of 2-4 year olds. Children living in larger households were more likely to experienceviolent discipline (75% of children in households of 6 or more people compared to 62% of children inhouseholds of 2-3 people). The statistics also suggest that children with more siblings are more likely toexperience violent discipline in most countries involved in the study. No significant differences inchildren’s experience of violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) werefound according to sex, level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.

Debarbieux, E. (2006), “Pourqui pas un bonne fessée? Une recherche sur le châtiment corporel à l’école”, SPIRALE - Revue deRecherches en Éducation, 37, 83-95, available at spirale-edu-revue.fr/IMG/pdf/8_Debarbieux_Spirale_37.pdf (in French)

Interviews with 1,669 children aged 9-14 in 19 schools revealed that school corporal punishment iswidespread. More than a quarter (27.6%) said they had been hit with an object such as a ruler, stick or“tuyau” (a PVC pipe), 19.5% forced to kneel in front of the class or outside as a punishment and 14.1%had been pinched or had their hair or ears pulled. The study also examined the academic achievement ofstudents, and concluded that the schools with the best results are those in which least corporal punishmentis used, and that students in these schools feel most secure.

DR Congo

Sonke Gender Justice Network & Promundo (2012), Gender Relations, Sexual Violence and the Effects of Conflict on Womenand Men in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo – Preliminary Results from the International Men and Gender

Equality Survey (IMAGES)

In a study involving interviews with 708 men and 754 women in Goma, 57% reported having beenslapped on the face by parents or other adults in the home as a child. Fifty-four per cent of women and47% of men said that as a child, they had been insulted or humiliated in front of others by someone intheir family, and 50% of both men and women reported being threatened with physical punishment in thehome.


A study by the African Child Policy Forum in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Nigeria and Senegal found that hitting, beating and forced hard work were the most prevalentforms of violence against girls, and that most of the physical violence experienced by girls was corporalpunishment. The study involved a survey of 3,025 young women (nearly 600 per country) aged 18-24about the violence they had experienced in their childhood. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo,74% had been hit during their childhood, 83% beaten, 25% kicked, 48% denied food, 7% choked orburned and 29% forced to do hard work. Parents and close relatives were the most common perpetratorsof physical violence.



Ministry of Planning et al (2011), Democratic Republic of Congo: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2010 summary report,Ministry of Planning, National Institute of Statistics & UNICEF

According to statistics collected in 2010 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 92% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishmentand/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey; 37% experienced severephysical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with animplement).

Egypt

Abolfotouh, M. A. et al (2009), “Corporal punishment: Mother’s disciplinary behavior and child’s psychological profile inAlexandria, Egypt”, Journal of Forensic Nursing 5, 5-17

A study which involved 400 9-14 year olds and their mothers found that 76% were sometimes physicallypunished by their mother – 39% once or twice a week, 3.5% once a day and 2.8% more than once a day.Children who were physically punished by their mother were more likely to say they had a poorrelationship with their parents, siblings, peers and teachers than those who were not physically punishedby their mothers.


According to UNICEF statistics collected between 2005 and 2013, 91% of children aged 2-14experienced “violent discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Eighty-two per cent experienced physical punishment and 83% experiencedpsychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). A smaller percentage(42%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing.

Equatorial Guinea

Reported in 14 April 2011, CEDAW/C/GNQ/6 Advance Unedited Version, Sixth state party report to the Committee on theElimination of Discrimination Against Women, paras. 56 and 57; UNICEF (2011), Annual Report 2011 - Equatorial Guinea

In 2008 and 2009, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Advancement of Women (MINASPROM)conducted a National Child Protection Study, involving 749 children, 100 teachers and 152 parents.Preliminary analysis revealed that 80% of children and adolescents had received physical punishment orverbal abuse in the family. In 2011, UNICEF reported that a study had found that 54% of children hadexperienced corporal punishment at school.

Ethiopia

Lelieveld, M. (2011), Child Protection in the Somali Region of Ethiopia, BRIDGES Project, Feinstein International Center &Tufts University

A study involving 47 focus group discussions and 26 interviews with children and adults found thatcorporal punishment was widespread: 68% of the focus groups who discussed parental corporalpunishment said beating was common, 15% said it was rare and 17% said it did not happen; 63% of thegroups who discussed corporal punishment by teachers said beating was common, 6% rare and 31% it didnot happen. Corporal punishment usually involved children being beaten with a hand or a stick. Otherpunishments included shouting at children, pinching them, forcing them to maintain painful positions andforcing them to look at the sun.




A 2010 African Child Policy Forum report on violence against children with disabilities in Cameroon,Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia documented a very high level of violence. Nearly a thousand 18-24 year olds took part in the study across the five countries, reporting on their experiences as children. InEthiopia, 68% had experienced at least one type of physical violence during their childhood. Over 50%had been hit, punched, kicked or beaten; over 25% had been denied food. The most common perpetratorsof physical violence were mothers (12.5%), fathers (12.1%) and other relatives (15%). Across the fivecountries, 23% said they had experienced physical violence that was “mostly discipline, reasonable andjustified”, 27% physical violence that was “mostly discipline but not reasonable or justified”. Twenty-sixper cent said they had experienced emotional violence that was “discipline, but not reasonable orjustified”, 22% that was “disciplinary, reasonable and justified”. Across all five countries, more than half(54%) of those who had been physically beaten said they had suffered broken bones, teeth, bleeding orbruising; 2% had been permanently disabled; 21% required medical attention; 13% had to miss school orwork; and 20% had needed rest at home. For all five countries, the majority of respondents with physical,visual and intellectual disabilities experienced physical violence more than 10 times. The reportrecommends prohibition of all corporal punishment, including in the home, as a way to minimise the riskof violence against children with disabilities.

FHI (2010), Improving Care Options for Children in Ethiopia through Understanding Institutional Child Care and FactorsDriving Institutionalization

A 2010 study into childcare institutions in Ethiopia studied 87 institutions through visits, documentreviews, interviews and focus groups with institution staff, parents of children living in institutions andformer residents. The study found that children in institutions were frequently subjected to physical,sexual, and psychological abuse and exploitation. In focus group discussions, foster care was alsodiscussed. Participants stated that children in foster care, too, often experienced violence at the hands oftheir caregivers, and that foster children were treated as “second-class citizens”. The report does notexamine the extent to which the violence was inflicted in the context of “discipline”.

Save the Children Denmark (2008), A study on violence against girls in primary schools and its impacts on girls’ education inEthiopia, Addis Ababa, www.ungei.org/resources/files/Study_on_Violence_Against_Schoolgfils_final.pdf

A study in 116 schools in various areas of Ethiopia, which looked at violence against girls in schools,found that 34% of students but only 25% of teachers stated that girls experience corporal punishment inschools.



Stavropoulos, J. (2006), Violence Against Girls in Africa: A Retrospective Survey in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, Addis Ababa,The African Child Policy Forum

A survey of 485 women in Ethiopia aged 18-24 concerning their childhood experiences of violence,undertaken by the Africa Child Policy Forum and published in 2006, found that 84% had suffered one ormore types of violence. Beating with an object was found to be the most prevalent form of physicalviolence (71.1%). Prevalence figures for other forms of physical abuse were 59.5% for punching, 43.3%kicking, 28.6% being forced to carry out hard work, 12.4% being choked/burned/stabbed, 10.9% havingspicy/bitter food put into mouth, 9.7% being locked up, and 8.3% being denied food. Girls were mostvulnerable to being beaten with an object when aged 10-13 (59.4%) and to being hit/punched when aged14-17 (58.4%). Experiencing the violence more than ten times was more likely in the case of beating thanother types of physical violence except for hard work. Most beating with an object and hitting/punchingwas carried out by mothers (45.2% and 27.2% respectively), followed by fathers (39.1% and 21.5%) andbrothers (23.9% and 24%). In 55.5% of cases, the hitting/punching resulted in “bruises or scratches,broken bones or teeth, or bleeding”, 32.2% for beating with an object. The most frequent reasons given tothe girls by the perpetrators of the violence were reported as doing something wrong, disrupting thehome/class, going out without permission or coming in late, failing to complete an assignment, refusingto accept a proposal for love or sex, giving a confrontational reply, and going out with men.

Gambia

The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (2011), The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2010, Final Report, Banjul: UNICEF

The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) carried out in 2010 found that 90% of childrenaged 2-14 had been physically and/or psychologically punished by their mothers/caregivers or otherhousehold members in the month prior to the survey. Seventy-four per cent of children had experiencedphysical punishment, while a smaller percentage (38.9%) of mothers and caregivers thought physicalpunishment was necessary in childrearing; 18% of children experienced severe physical punishment(being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement). The surveyinvolved 14,685 women in 7,791 households.


A UNICEF report published in 2010, which analysed statistics collected in 2005-2006, found that 87% ofchildren aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychologicalaggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. Nearly three quarters experienced physicalpunishment, while a smaller percentage (32%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishmentwas necessary in childrearing; non-violent discipline was also widely used, experienced by 90% ofchildren. Nearly a quarter of children were severely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, heador ears or hit over and over with an implement), 77% experienced psychological aggression (beingshouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). Children aged 5-9 were slightly more likely to experienceviolent discipline than younger children (88% of 5-9 year olds compared to 83% of 2-4 year olds).Children living in larger households were more likely to experience violent discipline (88% of children inhouseholds of 6 or more people compared to 75% of children in households of 2-3 people). The statisticsalso suggest that children with more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in mostcountries involved in the study. Children living in households with adults with a higher average level ofeducation were less likely to experience violent discipline than those living with less educated adults.Children engaged in child labour experienced violent discipline slightly more than those who were notengaged in child labour (93% compared to 89%). No significant differences in children’s experience ofviolent discipline were found according to sex.



Ghana

ActionAid International (2013), Stop Violence Against Girls in School: A cross-country analysis of change in Ghana, Kenyaand Mozambique, Johannesburg: ActionAid

A study involving more than 1,000 girls in Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique analysed the impact ofActionAid’s 2008-2013 project “Stop Violence Against Girls in School”. The project included awarenessraising and lobbying for the adoption and implementation of legal and policy measures that ensureeducation is free from corporal punishment in the three countries. The study found that in 2013 the use ofsome forms of corporal punishment had reduced since the baseline survey carried out in 2009. In Ghanain 2013 there had been slight reductions in the proportions of girls experiencing most forms of corporalpunishment since 2009 – e.g. 56% of girls had been beaten in the year prior to the survey in 2009,compared to 47% in 2013. Girls’ most recent experiences of corporal punishment usually took place inschool. The study recommends prohibition of corporal punishment in schools and measures to implementthe prohibition.

Plan International West Africa (2012), Because I am a Girl 2012 Research: Overall Report – Girls’ Retention and Performancein Primary and Secondary Education: Makers and Breakers, Dakar: Plan International West Africa, cited in Greene, M. et al

(2012), A Girl’s Right to Learn Without Fear: Working to End Gender-Based Violence at School, Toronto: Plan Canada

Three quarters (75%) of children involved in a 2012 study by Plan International said teachers were themain perpetrators of violence in schools.

Ghana Statistical Service (2011), Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey with an Enhanced Malaria Module and Biomarker,Accra: Ghana Statistical Service

According to statistics collected in 2010-2011 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator ClusterSurvey programme (MICS4), 94% of children aged 2-14 had experienced violent “discipline” (physicalpunishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. Nearly threequarters (73%) experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage (50%) of mothers andcaregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing. Fourteen per cent of children wereseverely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with animplement), 89% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at orinsulted).

Human Rights Watch (2012), “Like a Death Sentence”: Abuses against Persons with Mental Disabilities in Ghana, NY: HumanRights Watch

A 2012 report by Human Rights Watch documented violations of the rights of children and adults withmental disabilities – including prolonged seclusion, being permanently chained in one position, beingdenied food and being beaten – in psychiatric hospitals and prayer camps (privately owned Christianreligious institutions which seek to heal persons with mental disabilities with prayer and traditionalmethods).

Reported in Modern Ghana, 6 September 2011, www.modernghana.com

A survey carried out by ActionAid in collaboration with Songtaba in 2009 found that seven boys in eightthought corporal punishment – such as being caned, having their ears pulled or forced to kneel, weed ordig pits – was necessary, while more than a quarter of the girls interviewed said they would absentthemselves from school because of the fear of punishment.

Reported in GhanaWeb, 18 August 2011

A survey of 2,314 parents, students and graduates carried out by the Campaign for Female Educationfound that 94% of parents, 92% of students and 89% of female graduates supported corporal punishmentin schools; 64% of teachers said it must be tolerated.



Reported in Business Ghana, 1 February 2011

Government research involving 4,164 children found that 81% of children experienced corporalpunishment in the home, and that at school, caning was the main punishment, experienced by 71%.


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 states that 90% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Seven children in ten experienced physical punishment, while a smallerpercentage (46%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing;non-violent discipline was also widely used, experienced by 88% of children. One child in ten wasseverely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with animplement), 84% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at orinsulted). No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according tosex, age, household size, level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.

Reported in “Scarred With Whips: The agony of Osu Children’s Home inmates”, MyJoyOnline, 10 Sept 2010, www.myjoyonline.com

Investigations into care institutions and schools in Ghana revealed that corporal punishment of childrenwas widely used by caregivers and teachers. Types of corporal punishment included caning, kicking andslapping. As a result of corporal punishment, some children had developed fear and dislike of theircaregivers, with many others playing truant to escape corporal punishment at school.

Twum-Danso, A. (2010), Children’s Perceptions of Physical Punishment in Ghana, Nuffield Foundation

A study on children’s perceptions of physical punishment using interviews, diaries and a questionnairefound a high prevalence of physical punishment. Of the 158 children in private schools who completed aquestionnaire, 61.4% experienced some physical punishment at the hands of parents or primarycaregivers, with 30.4% experiencing only physical methods of punishment at home. Seven in ten (70.9%)of survey respondents said school was the place in which they were most likely to be physically punished.Caning was the most common method of physical punishment at home and at school.


According to UNICEF statistics collected in 2005-2006, children with disabilities were more likely toexperience severe physical punishment: 15% of 2-9 year olds with disabilities were hit or slapped on theface, head or ears or hit over and over as hard as possible with an implement in the home in the pastmonth, compared with 8% of children without disabilities.



Guinea-Bissau


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of statistics collected in 2005-2006 found that 82% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Nearly three quarters experienced physical punishment, while a smallerpercentage (25%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing;non-violent discipline was also very widely used, experienced by 93% of children. Three children in tenwere severely physically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with animplement), 68% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at orinsulted). Children aged 5-9 were slightly more likely to experience violent discipline than others (85% of5-9 year olds compared to 76% of 2-4 year olds and 83% of 10-14 year olds). Children living in largerhouseholds were more likely to experience violent discipline (83% of children in households of 6 or morepeople compared to 70% of children in households of 2-3 people). The statistics also suggest that childrenwith more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in thestudy. No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according tosex, level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.

Kenya


A study involving more than 1,000 girls in Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique analysed the impact ofActionAid’s 2008-2013 project “Stop Violence Against Girls in School”. The project included awarenessraising and lobbying for the adoption and implementation of legal and policy measures that ensureeducation is free from corporal punishment in the three countries. The study found that in 2013 the use ofsome forms of corporal punishment had reduced since the baseline survey carried out in 2009. In Kenyain 2013, 55% of girls had been beaten in the past year compared to 80% in 2009, although the proportionof girls who had been whipped in the past year increased from 50% in 2009 to 70% in 2013. Girls’ mostrecent experiences of corporal punishment usually took place in school. The study recommends measuresto implement the prohibition of corporal punishment in schools.

UNICEF Kenya Country Office et al (2012), Violence against Children in Kenya: Findings from a 2010 National Survey,Nairobi: UNICEF Kenya Country Office, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

In a national survey carried out in 2010, nearly half of the 13-17 year olds involved (48.7% of girls and47.6% of boys) reported having been slapped, pushed, punched, kicked, whipped, beaten or threatened orattacked with a weapon in the past year. Two thirds (66%) of females and 73% of males aged 18-24reported experiencing this before they were 18. Perpetrators included authority figures, parents and adultrelatives. The survey involved 1,306 females and 1,622 males aged 13-24.

Global Advocacy Team (2012), Plan’s Learn Without Fear campaign: Third progress report, Woking, UK: Plan

Seventy-one per cent of Kenyans think governments should completely outlaw all violence in schools.However, over half of adult Kenyans believe their religion allows them to slap their children if they donot behave.



Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2010), Mombasa Informal Settlement Survey, Kenya, 2009, Nairobi: Kenya NationalBureau of Statistics

According to statistics collected under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 77.7% of children aged 2-14 in Mombasa informal settlements experienced violent“discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to thesurvey, carried out in 2009. Over two thirds (67.9%) experienced “minor” physical punishment, 19.1%severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over withan implement) and 51% psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).Forty per cent of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing.

Lansford, J. et al (2010), “Corporal Punishment of Children in Nine Countries as a Function of Child Gender and ParentGender”, International Journal of Pediatrics

A study of the relationship between gender and physical punishment in China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan,Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand and the US, which used interviews with around 4,000 mothers,fathers and children aged 7-10, found that in Kenya 82% of girls and 97% of boys involved in the studyhad experienced “mild” corporal punishment (spanking, hitting, or slapping with a bare hand; hitting orslapping on the hand, arm, or leg; shaking; or hitting with an object), and 61% of girls and 62% of boyshad experienced severe corporal punishment (hitting or slapping the child on the face, head, or ears;beating the child repeatedly with an implement) by someone in their household in the past month. Smallerpercentages of parents believed it was necessary to use corporal punishment to bring up their child (forgirls, 44% of mothers and 48% of fathers believed it was necessary; for boys, 56% of mothers and 54% offathers).


In a survey of 500 young women in Kenya aged 18-24 concerning their childhood experiences ofviolence, undertaken by the Africa Child Policy Forum and published in 2006, 99% reported experiencingphysical violence. Beating with an object was the most prevalent form of physical violence (80.8%),though the research does not investigate the degree to which this and other physical violence wasexplicitly in the guise of “discipline”. Prevalence figures for other forms of physical violence were 59.5%for punching, 39.6% kicking, 43.8% hard work, 20.5% being choked/burned/stabbed, 12.3% havingspicy/bitter substances put in mouth, 14.3% being locked or tied up, and 35% being denied food. Girlswere found to be most vulnerable when aged 10-13. Experiencing the violence more than ten times wasmore likely in the case of beating than other types of physical violence. Most beating with an object wascarried out by mothers (23.5%), followed by female teachers (15.3%) and fathers (13.3%). Mosthitting/punching was carried out by female teachers (16.1%), followed by mothers (14.2%) and maleteachers (11.3%), with medical attention necessary in 20% of cases. In 52.3% of cases, thehitting/punching resulted in “bruises or scratches, broken bones or teeth, or bleeding”; the figure forbeating with an object was 64.6%.



Lesotho

Reported in Government of Lesotho, Initial Report of Lesotho on the Implementation of the African Union Charter on theRights & Welfare of the Child 1999-2013

As part of a situational analysis of vulnerable children carried out in 2011, caregivers were asked whetherchildren had been disciplined for behavioural problems in the three months prior to the survey; 9.2% ofall children had been hit or shaken in response to a perceived behavioural problem. An implement wasused in 75.1% of cases, with the child hit on the bottom (40%), hand/arm/leg (26.8%), or face/head/ears(6.8%). A bruise or other mark was left on the child due to the punishment in 15.4% of cases, meaning1.4% of all children had been physically punished to such an extent that it left a mark. A total of 40.8% ofchildren aged 12-17 years believed that physical discipline was necessary to raise a child. Of thesechildren, 14.3% said that they had been called a name or called stupid in the three months before thesurvey.

Liberia


According to UNICEF statistics collected between 2005 and 2013, 90% of children aged 2-14experienced “violent discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. More than three quarters (76%) experienced physical punishment and 84%experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). A smallerpercentage (61%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary inchildrearing.

Madagascar

Plate Forme de la Société Civile pour l’Enfance & Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches Juridiques (2011), La violence a l’egarddes enfants au sein de la famille en situation precaire a Antananarivo, Antananarivo: Plate Forme de la Société Civile pour

l’Enfance & Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches Juridiques, Université d’Antananarivo

A study involving 100 children aged 4-17 who had experienced violence and 30 parents and other familymembers revealed the severity of violence experienced by children. More than half the children (52%)had been beaten with an object such as a belt or a broom, 49% had been hit with a hand, most commonlyon the back or the head, and 19% had been pinched or had a part of their body twisted. Other types ofviolence included being insulted and threatened, having their hair pulled and being attacked with a knife.Parents were the most common perpetrators of violence: of the 100 children, 43 had experienced violencefrom their biological mother, 30 from their biological father and 7 from both. Other perpetrators includedgrandparents, stepparents, uncles, aunts and older siblings. Thirty-five per cent of the childrenexperienced violence every day, 9% every week, 5% every month and 50% “sometimes”.

Instat Madagascar, World Bank & UNICEF (2013), Madagascar Sud: Enquête par Grappes à Indicateurs Multiples (MICS)2012, Rapport Final

According to a survey conducted in the four regions of southern Madagascar in 2012, 64% of childrenage 2–14 years were subjected to physical punishment during the month preceding the survey, with 20%of children subjected to severe physical punishment. Overall, 84% of children were subjected to at leastone form of psychological or physical punishment by their mothers, caregivers or other adult householdmembers.



Malawi

UNICEF Malawi & Ministry of Gender, Children and Community Development (2011), All Children Count: A Baseline Studyof Children in Institutional Care in Malawi, Lilongwe: UNICEF

A study of the 104 childcare institutions (orphanages, special needs centres, church homes, transit carecentres and reformatory centres) in Malawi, which involved interviews with staff in the institutions andfocus group discussions with children, documented the use of corporal punishment, including childrenbeing whipped, forced to kneel and forced to do hard work.

DevTech Systems, Inc. and Centre for Educational Research and Training (2007), The Safe Schools program: Students andteacher baseline report on school-related gender-based violence in Machinga district, Malawi, USAID

In a study in 40 schools, involving interviews with 800 students and 288 teachers, 68.5% of studentsreported having been whipped/caned (20.5% in the home, 48% in school); 70.6% said they hadexperienced beating/fighting. More boys than girls reported being beaten (47.2% and 40.7%respectively).

Malawi Human Rights Commission (2007), The Existence and Implementation of Laws, Policies, and Regulations in Educationand How They Affect the Girl-Child in Malawi

A study by the Human Rights Commission of Malawi in 2007 found that despite prohibition, corporalpunishment is still used in schools, especially in private schools.

National Statistical Office (2015), Monitoring the situation of children and women: Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014, Zomba,Malawi: National Statistical Office

According to a 2014 survey, 42.9% of 1–14 year olds were subjected to physical punishment during themonth preceding the survey, with 6.4% subjected to severe physical punishment. In contrast, only 5.5%of respondents believed that physical punishment is needed to bring up, raise, or educate a child properly.Over 72% of children were subjected to at least one form of psychological or physical punishment bytheir parents or other adult household members, while less than 20% of children experienced only non-violent discipline.

Mali

Antonowicz, L. (2010), La violence faite aux enfants en milieu scolaire au Mali, Plan & Save the Children

In a 2009 study which involved interviews with 1,200 adults and 600 children aged 10-15, 83.3% ofadults and 82.5% of children said corporal punishment happens in schools, despite it being prohibited. Alarge majority (89.1%) of respondents said corporal punishment has a negative impact on children. Overhalf the girls (55.7%) did not feel able to speak about their rights to an adult who had inflicted corporalpunishment on them at school, and 53% of women did not feel able to speak about their child’s rights toan adult who had inflicted corporal punishment on their child. Half the respondents (50.6%) said theywould not tell the authorities if they or their child experienced corporal punishment. Sixty-four per cent ofrespondents said violence in schools was partly due to a lack of teacher training. The report recommendsprohibition of all corporal punishment, in line with the recommendations of the Committee on the Rightsof the Child.

Mauritania


According to UNICEF statistics collected in 2011, 87% of children aged 2-14 experienced “violentdiscipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to thesurvey. Seventy-eight per cent experienced physical punishment and 82% experienced psychologicalaggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). A smaller percentage (36%) of mothersand caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing.



Morocco

Conseil national des droits des homes (2013), Enfants dans les centres de sauvegarde: une enfance en danger - pour unepolitique de protection intégrée de l’enfant, Rabat: CNDH

In a study by the National Human Rights Council on the rights of children in child protection centres(accommodating children in conflict with the law and children without parental care), which includedvisits to 17 centres and focus groups with children and staff, a large number of children said physicalviolence was the “pedagogical tool” used to “discipline” them. Punishments included hitting childrenwith pipes and sticks and slapping them. Some staff members thought using violence was the only way to“correct” children.

Human Rights Watch (2012), Lonely Servitude: Child Domestic Labor in Morocco, NY: Human Rights Watch

A 2012 study by Human Rights Watch documented beatings and insults used as punishments for childdomestic workers by their employers. Virtually all child domestic workers in Morocco are girls; the 20girls interviewed for the report had begun work aged 8-15.

Cited in Abdul-Hamid, Y. (2011), Child Rights Situation Analysis: Middle East and North Africa, Save the Children Sweden

According to a report by the Moroccan Ministry of Justice, widespread violence against children isreported in government run orphanages and care institutions, with physical punishment being the mostpracticed disciplinary measure.

Reported in Algeria News, 8 October 2010, http://news.marweb.com/algeria

At least 1,000 cases of violence in schools were recorded in 2009, according to the Centre for People’sRights: 400 cases were physical violence, 350 psychological violence and 126 sexual violence. Thephysical violence mostly consisted of corporal punishment, including slapping, kicking and hitting withsticks, iron rulers and electrical cables.

UNICEF (2008), Enquête Nationale à Indicateurs Multiples et Santé des Jeunes, ENIMSJ 2006-2007, Rabat, Maroc: UNICEF

According to statistics collected in 2006-2007 under round 3 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator ClusterSurvey programme (MICS3), 91% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physicalpunishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. Forty-one percent of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing. Nearly aquarter (24%) of children experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, heador ears or being hit over and over with an implement), 89% experienced psychological aggression (beingshouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).

Mozambique


A study involving more than 1,000 girls in Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique analysed the impact ofActionAid’s 2008-2013 project “Stop Violence Against Girls in School”. The project included awarenessraising and lobbying for the adoption and implementation of legal and policy measures that ensureeducation is free from corporal punishment in the three countries. The study found that in 2013 the use ofsome forms of corporal punishment had reduced since the baseline survey carried out in 2009. InMozambique in 2009, 52% of girls had been whipped or caned in the past 12 months; by 2013, this haddropped to 29%. Girls’ most recent experiences of corporal punishment usually took place in school. Thestudy recommends prohibition of corporal punishment in schools and measures to implement theprohibition.



Clacherty, G. et al (2009), Children’s Experiences of Punishment in Mozambique: A Qualitative and Quantitative Survey,Pretoria: Save the Children Sweden

In 2009, over 2,600 children aged 6-18 took part in a survey, while 168 children drew pictures and talkedabout the last time they were punished at home and at school. One child in three had been hit with a handat home in the past two weeks, 37% beaten with an object; 6-8 year olds were more likely to have beenhit than older children, and children from low income families were more likely to have been hit thanchildren from high income families. About one child in three had been hit with a hand at school in thepast two weeks, 40% hit with an object.

Namibia

SIAPAC (2008), Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Study on Factors and Traditional Practices that may Perpetuate orProtect Namibians from Gender Based Violence and Discrimination: Caprivi, Erongo, Karas, Kavango, Kunene, Ohangwena,

Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa Regions (Final Report), Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, cited in Hubbard, D. et al(2010), Corporal Punishment: National and International Perspectives, Windhoek: Legal Assistance Centre

A 2008 survey of 1,680 respondents found that 78% thought a parent had a right to hit their child if thechild was disobedient, 63% if the child did not want to go to school, 51% if the child ran away from homeand 27% if the child performed poorly in school. Almost 61% believed it was common in theircommunities for children to be smacked or caned. Respondents from households with children aged 2-14years old were asked what forms of discipline had been used in their household: 40% said children hadbeen spanked, hit or slapped on the bottom with a bare hand, 30% said children had been hit with objectsand 18% that children had been hit or slapped on the face, head or ears.

Niger


According to UNICEF statistics collected between 2005 and 2013, 82% of children aged 2-14experienced “violent discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey. Two thirds (66%) experienced physical punishment and 77% experiencedpsychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). A smaller percentage(45%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing.

Nigeria

Institute of Education & ActionAid (2013), Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria: Endline research summary report,Abuja: ActionAid Nigeria

A report carried out at the end of the Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria and Tanzania(TEGINT) project, a 2007-2012 initiative to transform the education of girls in Northern Tanzania andNorthern Nigeria, found that in Nigeria 71% of community members and 72% of girls agreed “it is notokay for teachers to whip a girl who comes late to school because she was caring for a sick relative”. Thestudy involved surveys with 629 girls and 186 community members.

National Bureau of Statistics et al (2011), Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2011: Summary Report, Abuja: NationalBureau of Statistics

According to statistics collected in 2010 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 91% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishmentand/or psychological aggression) in the home in the past month. Seventy-nine per cent experiencedphysical punishment, 34% severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears orbeing hit over and over with an implement) and 81% psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelledat, screamed at or insulted).



Mahmoud, A. O. et al (2011), “Observations of teachers in Ilorin, Nigeria on practices of corporal punishment that arepotentially injurious to their pupils’ eyes”, Annals of African Medicine, 10 (2)

In a survey of 172 elementary school teachers in Ilorin State, 80% of respondents had seen pupils beingpunished by elementary school teachers with a cane; 46% had seen pupils being punished with a horse-whip (“koboko”), and 30% with a hand; 61% had seen pupils being hit on the buttocks, 49% on the back,52% on the palm of the hand, 20% on the head and 16% on the face. Twenty-nine per cent said theyfavoured the use of corporal punishment by elementary school teachers.


A study by the African Child Policy Forum in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Nigeria and Senegal found that hitting, beating and forced hard work were the most prevalentforms of violence against girls, and that most of the physical violence experienced by girls was corporalpunishment. The study involved a survey of 3,025 young women (nearly 600 per country) aged 18-24about the violence they had experienced in their childhood. In Nigeria, 84% had been hit during theirchildhood, 90% beaten, 55% kicked, 71% denied food and 17% choked or burned. Parents and closerelatives were the most common perpetrators of physical violence.


According to UNICEF statistics collected in 2011, 91% of children aged 2-14 experienced “violentdiscipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to thesurvey. Nearly eight in ten (79%) experienced physical punishment and 81% experienced psychologicalaggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). A smaller percentage (62%) of mothersand caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing.

Amnesty International (2014), Welcome to Hell Fire: Torture and other Ill-treatment in Nigeria, London: Amnesty International

A report based on visits to police stations and prisons throughout Nigeria and interviews with hundreds offormer detainees documents widespread torture and ill-treatment, including of children in detention.

National Population Commission of Nigeria, UNICEF Nigeria & US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2015),Violence Against Children in Nigeria: Findings from a National Survey, 2014, Abuja, Nigeria: UNICEF Nigeria

Nigeria’s first national Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) conducted in 2014 foundapproximately six out of every 10 children experience some form of violence; half of all childrenexperience physical violence, with parents or adult relatives being the most common perpetrator. Maleteachers are the most common perpetrators of the first incident of physical violence against children in theneighbourhood. One in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence by a parent, caregiveror adult relative. The study notes that while it is not focused on acts of discipline, many of thoseperpetrating the violence may be doing so in the name of “discipline”.

Rwanda

Mina, E. (2013), Corporal and Degrading Punishment of Children in Rwanda: Promoting Positive Discipline at School and atHome, Master Thesis, Freie Universität Berlin

A study which involved discussions with 22 parents, 12 children and nine teachers in one semi-rural andone remote rural area found that the most common punishment in homes and schools was beatingchildren. Children were also punished by being denied food, shouted at, insulted, forced to do hard work,burned, chased out of the house and not allowed to go to school.



Contreras, M. et al (2012), Bridges to Adulthood: Understanding the Lifelong Influence of Men's Childhood Experiences ofViolence, Analyzing Data from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey, Washington DC: International Center for

Research on Women (ICRW) and Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Promundo

A 2012 study of men’s childhood experiences of violence in Brazil, Chile, Croatia, India, Mexico andRwanda, which involved men aged 18-59 living in urban settings, found a high prevalence of corporalpunishment in all six countries. In Rwanda, of the 2,204 men who participated, 60% reported having beenspanked or slapped by a parent in the home during childhood, 23% threatened with physical punishmentin the home and 29% humiliated by someone in their family in front of other people. Men who hadexperienced violence, including corporal punishment, during childhood, were more likely to perpetrateintimate partner violence, hold inequitable gender attitudes, be involved in fights outside the home orrobberies, pay for sex and experience low self-esteem and depression, and were less likely to participatein domestic duties, communicate openly with their partners, attend pre-natal visits when their partner ispregnant and/or take paternity leave.

Senegal

Plan International West Africa (2012), Because I am a Girl 2012 Research: Overall Report – Girls’ Retention and Performancein Primary and Secondary Education: Makers and Breakers, Dakar: Plan International West Africa, cited in Greene, M. et al

(2012), A Girl’s Right to Learn Without Fear: Working to End Gender-Based Violence at School, Toronto: Plan Canada

Eighty per cent of children involved in a 2012 study by Plan International said teachers were the mainperpetrators of violence in schools.

Human Rights Watch (2010), Off the Backs of the Children: Forced Begging and Other Abuses against Talibés in Senegal

A report by Human Rights Watch documented physical punishment and other severe violations of therights of at least 50,000 children (talibés), mostly boys under 12, attending residential Quranic schools inSenegal. The children, who were forced by the teachers who serve as their guardians (marabouts) to begon the streets, experienced severe physical punishment including being beaten with electric cables orclubs for not bringing back the quota of money and food set by the marabouts.


A 2010 African Child Policy Forum report on violence against children with disabilities in Cameroon,Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia documented a very high level of violence. Nearly a thousand 18-24 year olds took part in the study across the five countries, reporting on their experiences as children. InSenegal, 60% had experienced at least one type of physical violence during their childhood. The mostcommonly experienced physical violence was being hit, punched, kicked or beaten, followed by beingchoked, burnt or stabbed. The most common perpetrators of physical violence were mothers (20.5%) andfathers (15.8%). Across the five countries, 23% of the young people said they had experienced physicalviolence which was “mostly discipline, reasonable and justified”, 27% physical violence which was“mostly discipline but not reasonable or justified”; 26% said they had experienced emotional violencewhich was “discipline, but not reasonable or justified”, 22% emotional violence that was “disciplinary,reasonable and justified”. Across all five countries, 54% of those who had been physically beaten saidthey had suffered broken bones, teeth, bleeding or bruising; 2% had been permanently disabled; 21%required medical attention; 13% had to miss school or work, and 20% had needed rest at home. For allfive countries, the majority of respondents with physical, visual and intellectual disabilities experiencedphysical violence more than 10 times. The report recommends prohibition of all corporal punishment,including in the home, as a way to minimise the risk of violence against children with disabilities.




A study by the African Child Policy Forum in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Nigeria and Senegal found that hitting, beating and forced hard work were the most prevalentforms of violence against girls, and that most of the physical violence experienced by girls was corporalpunishment. The study involved a survey of 3,025 young women (nearly 600 per country) aged 18-24about the violence they had experienced in their childhood. In Senegal, 52% had been hit during theirchildhood, 79% beaten, 21% kicked, 25% denied food and 16% choked or burned. Parents and closerelatives were the most common perpetrators of physical violence.

Sierra Leone

Statistics Sierra Leone & UNICEF-Sierra Leone (2011), Sierra Leone Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2010, Final Report,Freetown: Statistics Sierra Leone & UNICEF-Sierra Leone

According to statistics collected in 2010 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 81.7% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishmentand/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. Sixty-five per centexperienced physical punishment, 18.8% severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face,head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 74.4%% psychological aggression (beingshouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of data from 2005-2006 found that 92% of children aged 2-14 experiencedviolent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the monthprior to the survey. Nearly eight in ten experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage(56%) of mothers and caregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing; non-violentdiscipline was also widely used, experienced by 93% of children. One quarter of children experiencedsevere physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over withan implement), 83% psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).Children aged 10-14 were slightly more likely to experience violent discipline than younger children(94% of 10-14 year olds compared to 88% of 2-4 year olds and 93% of 5-9 year olds). Children living inhouseholds with adults with a higher average level of education were less likely to experience violentdiscipline than those living with less educated adults. No significant differences in children’s experienceof violent discipline were found according to sex, household size or engagement in child labour.


According to UNICEF statistics collected in 2005-2006, children with disabilities were more likely toexperience severe physical punishment: 24% of children with disabilities aged 2-9 were hit or slapped onthe face, head or ears or hit over and over as hard as possible with an implement in the home in the monthprior to the survey, compared with 21% of children without disabilities.

South Africa

Statistics South Africa (2014), General Household Survey 2013, Pretoria: Statistics South Africa

According to Government statistics published in 2014, 13.5% of school students experienced corporalpunishment at school in 2013. School corporal punishment was most prevalent in Eastern Cape(experienced by 24.1% of school students), KwaZulu‐Natal (22.2%) and Free State (16.6%).

South African Council of Educators (2013), Annual Report 2012-2013, Centurion: SACE

During the 2012-2013 financial year, the South African Council of Educators received 182 complaintsabout school corporal punishment.



Reported in IOL News, 22 July 2013

During the 2012-2013 financial year, the South African Human Rights Commission received 125allegations of corporal punishment in schools, compared to 117 allegations during the 2011-2012financial year.

Burton, P. & Leoschut, L. (2013), School Violence in South Africa: Results of the 2012 National School Violence Study, CapeTown: The Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention

The 2012 National School Violence Study revealed the continued use of physical punishment withinSouth African schools. Overall, a total of 49.8% of the 5,939 learners surveyed had been caned orspanked by an educator or principal. This percentage was up from 47.5% in 2008, suggesting that littleheadway had been made in reducing corporal punishment in schools. Provincial rates of corporalpunishment ranged from 22.4% to 73.7%, with the highest levels of corporal punishment in KwaZulu-Natal (73.7%).

South African Council for Educators (2012), Annual Report 2011-2012: Promoting Excellence in the Teaching Profession,Centurion: SACE

The 2011-2012 annual report of the South African Council for Educators (SACE) reported that 174 casesof corporal punishment were reported to SACE in 2011-2012, compared with 100 cases in 2010-2011.

Statistics South Africa (2012), General household survey 2011, Pretoria: Statistics South Africa

The Statistics SA General Household Survey 2011, which involved 30,000 households between July andSeptember 2011, found that 17% of students in South Africa had experienced corporal punishment atschool in the past year. The highest percentage of students experiencing corporal punishment was in theEastern Cape, where there was an increase from 23% in 2010 to 30% in 2011. In Limpopo, the percentageof students experiencing corporal punishment rose from 9% in 2010 to 19% in 2011. In the NorthernCape, North West and Gauteng, the percentage of students experiencing corporal punishment declinedsince 2010. The lowest percentage of students experiencing corporal punishment was in the Western Cape(4%).

Reported in “Disturbing rise in corporal punishment – survey”, News24, 5 May 2011, www.news24.com

A survey by Statistics SA revealed that the use of corporal punishment in schools declined overallbetween 2009 and 2010, from 17% of students experiencing corporal punishment in 2009 to 14% in 2010.However, in some areas the use of corporal punishment increased: in the Northern Cape, from 5.6% to17.5%, and in the North West, from 12.7% to 21.7%.

Burton, P. (2008), Merchants, Skollies and Stones: Experiences of School Violence in South Africa, Cape Town: Centre forJustice and Crime Prevention, www.cjcp.org.za/admin/uploads/NSVS-final-internet-ready.pdf, accessed 1 July 2010

In 2008 the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention released its report on the National Schools ViolenceStudy, which provides a baseline from which to monitor school violence in the future. Over 12,000students took part in the survey, as well as nearly 800 principals and educators at 245 primary andsecondary schools. The study found that, despite prohibition in schools, 71% of primary school childrenand 47.5% of secondary school children experienced corporal punishment. Rates of corporal punishmentvaried by province, with 90% of primary school educators or principals in the Northern Cape usingcorporal punishment, 81% in Limpopo and 78% in the Eastern Cape. Secondary school principals andeducators were most likely to use corporal punishment in the Free State (61.8%), Gauteng (61%) and theEastern Cape (58.5%). The report notes a strong correlation in provinces between high rates of corporalpunishment and use of violence by students. Almost half (47.3%) of primary school children sufferedcorporal punishment in the home. Students who experienced corporal punishment at home were morelikely to report experiencing violence at school than those who did not experience corporal punishment athome.



Reported in “Corporal punishment still rife in classrooms despite being banned”, Cape Times, 11 May 2006

The National Youth Victimisation Study released in May 2006 by the Centre for Justice and CrimePrevention reported on a survey of 4,409 young people aged between 12 and 22 years which found thatnationally 51.4% of children continue to be subjected to corporal punishment in schools, with the lowestprevalence being 17% in the Western Cape. The survey also found that around a quarter of the youth livein a home where domestic violence between caregivers or parents is common.

Parliamentary response, reported in “Tardy pupils ‘beaten with pipes’”, IOL News, 29 June 2015, www.iol.co.za

Nationally, 244 complaints of misconduct for corporal punishment were filed against educators betweenApril 2014 and February 2015 (out of a total of 525 complaints of misconduct).

Reported in “Corporal punishment rising”, The New Age, 17 September 2015, http://thenewage.co.za/

The number of complaints relating to corporal punishment in South African schools has increased in thepast two years, despite being outlawed. The South African Council of Educators (SACE) received 245reports of corporal punishment against teachers in the 2014-2015 financial year, compared to 202reported cases in 2013-2014. The organisation has conducted 36 investigations in the last year, all ofwhich resulted in disciplinary hearings; 30 teachers were convicted for administering corporalpunishment while the rest received advisory notes or letters. It is unclear whether corporal punishment orreporting of it is on the rise, as more people become aware of SACE and its functions.

South Sudan

Information provided in correspondence with the Global Initiative, May 2008

Research by World Vision in 2006 in a number of states in Southern Sudan found that corporalpunishment of children in schools and families is a daily experience for the majority of children.

Sudan

Human Rights Watch (2014), World Report 2014, NY: Human Rights Watch

According to a 2014 Human Rights Watch report, girls and women continue to be subjected to judicialflogging and other humiliating punishments.

Swaziland

Central Statistical Office & UNICEF (2011), Swaziland Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2010: Final Report, Mbabane:Central Statistical Office & UNICEF

According to statistics collected in 2010 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 88.9% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishmentand/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey; 82.1% of mothers andcaregivers thought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing. Two thirds (66%) of childrenexperienced physical punishment; 11.7% experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slappedon the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement), and 82.1% experiencedpsychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).

Togo

Anti-Slavery International (2013), Home Truths: Wellbeing and vulnerabilities of child domestic workers, London: Anti-SlaveryInternational

In a study on the wellbeing and vulnerability of child domestic workers, 56% of the child domesticworkers involved in Togo said their employers physically punished them. The study was conducted in2009 in Peru, Costa Rica, Togo, Tanzania, India and Philippines with around 3,000 children, mostly aged10-17, half of whom worked as paid or unpaid domestic workers.



Direction Générale de la Statistique et de la Comptabilité Nationale (2012), Enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples MICSTogo (2010), Rapport final, Direction Générale de la Statistique et de la Comptabilité Nationale & UNICEF

According to statistics collected in 2010 under round 4 of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveyprogramme (MICS4), 93.2% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishmentand/or psychological aggression) in the home in the month prior to the survey. More than three quarters(77.4%) experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage (34.6%) of mothers and caregiversthought physical punishment was necessary in childrearing. Seventeen per cent of children were severelyphysically punished (hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over with an implement),85.6% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).


A 2010 UNICEF analysis of data from 2005-2006 found that 91% of children aged 2-14 experiencedviolent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home in the monthprior to the survey. More than three quarters experienced physical punishment. Non-violent disciplinewas also widely used, experienced by 90% of children. More than a quarter of children experiencedsevere physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over withan implement), 83% psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted).Children aged 5-9 were slightly more likely to experience violent discipline than younger children (92%of 5-9 year olds compared to 87% of 2-4 year olds). No significant differences in children’s experience ofviolent discipline were found according to sex, household size, level of education of adults in thehousehold or engagement in child labour.

Plan Togo (2006), Suffering to Succeed? Violence and abuse in schools in Togo, Lome: Plan Togo

From mid-2005, Plan Togo commissioned research into violence and abuse in schools. This included ajoint study with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) which involved interviews with1,000 schoolchildren in 35 villages and more than 500 mothers of school aged children, teachers,traditional chiefs, members of security services, social workers and others, a case study on violence andabuse in Togolese schools comprising 19 first-person narratives and observations based on interviewswith children, parents and teachers in 7 villages and 2 towns, and a discussion of structural violence in theeducation system in Togo. In the FAWE research, children in their last 3 years of primary school wereinterviewed: 88% of the girls and 87% of the boys reported experiencing physical violence at school;52% of girls and 48% of boys reported experiencing threatening behaviour or psychological violence.

Tunisia

UNICEF (2014), The State of the World’s Children 2014 in Numbers: Every Child Counts, NY: UNICEF

According to UNICEF statistics collected between 2005 and 2012, 93% of children aged 2-14experienced violent “discipline” (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in the home inthe month prior to the survey.

Ministère de la Sante Publique, Office National de la Famille et de la Population and UNICEF (2008), Enquête sur la Sante etLe Bien Etre de la Mère et l’Enfant - MICS 3 (in French), www.childinfo.org/files/MICS3_Tunisia_FinalReport_2006_Fr.pdf

A 2006 study of 4,511 households with children aged 2-14 found that 94% of the children were punishedusing physical, verbal or other forms of violence; 73% were hit, and 26% insulted; 85% of 2-5 year olds,81% of 6-9 year olds and 66% of 10-14 year olds experienced corporal punishment. Boys and girls werepunished equally and the number of people in the household, amount of living space and levels ofmaternal education had little effect on the levels of corporal punishment. Eighty-two per cent of mothersunder 40 were physically violent towards their children compared to 70% of mothers over 40.



Uganda

ANPCCAN & Makerere University (2013), Baseline Survey on Community Child Protection Systems in Uganda, ANPCCAN &Makerere University

In a 2013 survey that involved interviews with nearly 400 5-17 year olds, 35.2% had been hit or“spanked” with an object by a teacher in the past year and 32.9% had experienced this from parents orstep-parents. More than a quarter (27.1%) had been hit or spanked with a hand in the past year by a parentor step-parent, 19.1% by a teacher; 32.3% had been pinched, had their ears twisted or their hair pulled inthe past year by a teacher, 22.9% by a parent or step-parent. About 45% of children expressed disapprovalof physical punishment, emphasising its negative effects including physical pain, emotional distress anddamaging consequences for child-parent relationships.

WarChild UK (2012), Child Safety Report Card: 2012 Regional Report

In a survey involving 3,200 children in eight districts in northern Uganda, corporal punishment in thehome and at school was identified as one of children’s major safety concerns: 79% said they felt unsafe orscared due to beatings at school and 90% at home. When asked to draw something that made them feelunsafe at home, at school or in the community, more than half drew pictures of teachers beating children,and children in all regions drew pictures of corporal punishment in the home.

ANPPCAN Uganda (2011), Baseline Survey to Assess Violence against Children in Arua, Apac, Kitgum, Mukono and RakaiDistricts: Final Report

A survey of 990 children attending 25 primary schools in Arua, Apac, Kitgum, Mukono and RakaiDistricts found that 81.5% had been beaten at school: 73% of the beatings were perpetrated by teachersand 12% by parents or guardians who were called into schools to punish children. Eighty-two per cent ofthe children had been made to do hard work such as digging, cleaning pit latrines and collecting water,usually as a punishment.

Reported by Anppccan Uganda Chapter, 10 July 2011, www.anppcanug.org

In a survey of 1,015 children at 25 public and private primary schools in Acholi, Lango, West Nile andCentral regions, 81% reported having been beaten at school – 73% had been beaten by a teacher, 15% byother students, 12% by their parents or guardians. Children were also punished by being denied food forextended periods of time, locked up in rooms, assigned difficult work and forced to kneel in front of otherchildren at school; 82% had seen their friends being caned. The study, conducted in April 2011 byANPPCAN Uganda Chapter, also involved 52 professionals including teachers, head teachers, PTAmembers, police, government and non-government experts in the education and child protection fields atdistrict and national level.

Moore, M. (2010), Juvenile Detention in Uganda: Review of Ugandan Remand Homes and the National Rehabilitation Centre,African Prisons Project

A 2010 study of juvenile detention in Uganda found that despite the prohibition of corporal punishmentof children in penal institutions, children were routinely caned as a punishment in both Mbale RemandHome and Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre. In Kampiringisa, children were also punished bybeing placed in an isolation cell. In the majority of remand homes, corporal punishment was not used.The report suggested that the legality of corporal punishment in the home and school in Uganda mayaccount for its continued use in some penal institutions.




A 2010 African Child Policy Forum report on violence against children with disabilities in Cameroon,Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia documented a very high level of violence. Nearly a thousand 18-24 year olds took part in the study across the five countries, reporting on their experiences as children. InUganda, 87% had experienced at least one type of physical violence during their childhood. The mostcommonly experienced type of physical violence was being hit, punched, kicked or beaten. Perpetratorsof physical violence included stepmothers (10.8%), mothers (9.5%), fathers (8.7%) and other relatives(15.7%). Across the five countries, 23% said they had experienced physical violence which was “mostlydiscipline, reasonable and justified”, 27% which was “mostly discipline but not reasonable or justified”.Twenty-six per cent said they had experienced emotional violence which was “discipline, but notreasonable or justified”, 22% that was “disciplinary, reasonable and justified”. Across all five countries,more than half (54%) of those who had been physically beaten said they had suffered broken bones, teeth,bleeding or bruising; 2% had been permanently disabled; 21% required medical attention; 13% had tomiss school or work; and 20% had needed rest at home. For all five countries, the majority of respondentswith physical, visual and intellectual disabilities experienced physical violence more than 10 times. Thereport recommends prohibition of all corporal punishment, including in the home, as a way to minimisethe risk of violence against children with disabilities.


A survey of 500 young women in Uganda aged 18-24 years concerning their childhood experiences ofviolence, undertaken by the Africa Child Policy Forum and published in 2006, found that 94.2% had beensubjected to physical violence. Beating with an object was the most prevalent form of physical violence(85.8%). Prevalence figures for other physical violence were 55% for punching, 26.8% kicking, 47.8%hard work, 20.4% being choked/burned/stabbed, 9% having spicy/bitter food put in mouth, 18.2% beinglocked or tied up, and 52.8% being denied food. Girls were found to be most vulnerable to beating withan object when aged 10-13 (57.1%), and to being hit/punched when aged 14-17 (44%). Experiencing theviolence more than 10 times was more likely in the case of beating than other physical violence. Mostbeating with an object was carried out by male teachers (48.5%), followed by fathers (43.4%) andmothers (42.9%); in 57.3% of cases medical attention was required. Most hitting/punching was carriedout by fathers (22.9%), followed by mothers (17.1%) and brothers (15.6%), with medical attentionrequired in 21.1% of cases. At school, girls were told they were beaten for being late, for misbehaving, orfor being disrespectful. At home, the reasons given for beating or hitting included for breaking/losingsomething, for being disrespectful to their elders, or for not doing housework.

Human Rights Watch (2011), “Even Dead Bodies Must Work”: Health, Hard Labor, and Abuse in Ugandan Prisons

A 2011 report by Human Rights Watch documented corporal punishment of prisoners in Uganda,including beatings with batons, canes, sticks, whips and electric cable and wire, despite the prohibition ofcorporal punishment in the Prisons Act 2006. Children are sometimes detained with adults in prisons,even though this is prohibited.



Devries, K. M. et al (2015), “The Good School Toolkit for reducing physical violence from school staff to primary schoolstudents: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in Uganda”, The Lancet Global Health, 3(7), 378-386

From January 2012 to September 2014, the Good Schools Study was conducted in 42 primary schools inLuwero District to test the effectiveness of the Good School Toolkit – an 18-month interventiondeveloped by the Ugandan non-profit organisation Raising Voices – in reducing physical violence fromschool staff to students. The study found that at baseline 54% of students reported past week physicalviolence from school staff; in the follow-up survey 31% of students in the intervention group reportedpast week physical violence from school staff, compared to 48·7% in the control group – this was foundto correspond to a 42% reduction in risk of past week physical violence from school staff. These resultswere seen as highly encouraging because they demonstrate that it is possible to change an entrenched,normative behaviour such as the use of physical violence over the 18-month timescale of programmeimplementation.

Devries, K. M., et al (2015), “The Good School Toolkit for reducing physical violence from school staff to primary schoolstudents: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in Uganda”, Lancet Global Health, 385, e378–386

A study conducted from 2012-2014 involving 42 primary schools in Luwero District assessed whether theGood School Toolkit – a complex behavioural intervention designed by Ugandan non-profit organisationRaising Voices – could reduce physical violence from school staff to primary school children. Atbaseline, 54% of students reported past week physical violence from school staff. After 18 months, thestudy found prevalence of past week physical violence was lower in the intervention schools (31%) thanin the control schools (49%).

UR Tanzania

Hecker, T. et al (2013), “Corporal punishment and children's externalizing problems: A cross-sectional study of Tanzanianprimary school aged children”, Child Abuse & Neglect, available online 17 December 2013

A study involving 409 children (average age 10.5 years) at a private school in Tanzania found that 95%had been physically punished at least once in their lifetime by a teacher. The same percentage reportedexperiencing physical punishment by parents or caregivers. Eighty-two per cent had been beaten withsticks, belts or other objects, 66% had been punched, slapped or pinched. Nearly a quarter hadexperienced punishment so severe that they were injured. The children’s experience of corporalpunishment was associated with increased aggressive and hyperactive behaviour and decreasedempathetic behaviour.

Institute of Education & ActionAid (2013), Transforming Education for Girls in Tanzania: Endline research summary report,Das es Salaam: ActionAid Tanzania

A report carried out at the end of the Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria and Tanzania(TEGINT) project, a 2007-2012 initiative to transform the education of girls in Northern Tanzania andNorthern Nigeria, found that in Tanzania 70% of community members and 87% of girls agreed “it is notokay for teachers to whip a girl who comes late to school because she was caring for a sick relative”. Thestudy involved surveys with 295 girls and young women aged 11-22 and 91 community members.

Anti-Slavery International (2013), Home Truths: Wellbeing and vulnerabilities of child domestic workers, London: Anti-SlaveryInternational

In a study on the wellbeing and vulnerability of child domestic workers, 30% of the child domesticworkers involved in Tanzania said their employers physically punished them. The study was conducted in2009 in Peru, Costa Rica, Togo, Tanzania, India and Philippines with around 3,000 children, mostly aged10-17, half of whom worked as paid or unpaid domestic workers.



Reported in The Citizen, 29 January 2012, www.thecitizen.co.tz

A report by the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance based on interviews with 179children in 65 detention centres found that children were subject to violence, including from prisonofficers and adult prisoners.

UNICEF Tanzania, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention & Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (2011), Violence against Children in Tanzania:

Findings from a National Survey (2009), Dar es Salaam: United Republic of Tanzania

A study involving over 3,700 13-24 year olds found that 73.5% of females and 71.7% of males had beenslapped, pushed, punched, kicked, beaten up or attacked or threatened with a weapon such as a gun orknife by a relative, authority figure (including teachers), or intimate partner during their childhood. Overhalf (51%) of 13-17 year olds had experienced this in the past year. The report is not explicit about howmuch of the violence was inflicted in the name of “discipline”; however, 58.4% of females and 57.2% ofmales experienced physical violence by relatives (the majority by fathers and mothers), and 52.6% offemales and 50.8% of males experienced physical violence by teachers. Nearly eight in ten girls (78%)and nearly seven in ten boys (67%) aged 13-17 who had been punched, kicked or whipped by a teacherhad experienced this more than five times, and nearly half of 13-17 year olds (46.3% girls, 45.9% boys)who had been punched, kicked or whipped by a relative had experienced this more than five times.Experiencing physical violence in childhood was associated for females with poor to fair general health,feelings of anxiety in the past 30 days, having suicidal thoughts, and having a STI diagnosis or symptomsin the past 12 months; and for males with feelings of depression in the past 30 days.

Save the Children (2010), Capturing Children’s Views on the Children’s Bill 2010: The National Child ConsultationProgramme in Zanzibar

A 2010 consultation on the Zanzibar Children’s Bill found that, of over 500 children aged 8 and over,77% thought all school corporal punishment should be banned.

Childreach Tanzania (2015), Child Abuse in Tanzania, Arusha, Tanzania: Childreach Tanzania

Research conducted in July 2013, involving interviews with 730 children and 135 adults, found almost60% of all interviewees identified corporal punishment as a child protection issue facing children inRuvu; 16% of children interviewed linked corporal punishment with physical harm and psychologicaleffects.



Zambia


A 2010 African Child Policy Forum report on violence against children with disabilities in Cameroon,Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia documented a very high level of violence. Nearly a thousand 18-24 year olds took part in the study across the five countries, reporting on their experiences as children. InZambia, all the respondents had experienced at least one type of physical violence during their childhood:100% had been denied food, over 50% hit, punched, kicked or beaten and over 25% choked, burnt orstabbed. Common perpetrators of physical violence included mothers (10.2%), stepmothers (4.9%) andadult neighbours (18.5%). Across the five countries, 23% said they had experienced physical violencewhich was “mostly discipline, reasonable and justified” and 27% which was “mostly discipline but notreasonable or justified”; 26% said they had experienced emotional violence which was “discipline, butnot reasonable or justified”, 22% that was “disciplinary, reasonable and justified”. Across all fivecountries, more than half (54%) of those who had been physically beaten said they had suffered brokenbones, teeth, bleeding or bruising; 2% had been permanently disabled; 21% required medical attention;13% had to miss school or work; and 20% had needed rest at home. For all five countries, the majority ofrespondents with physical, visual and intellectual disabilities experienced physical violence more than 10times. The report recommends prohibition of all corporal punishment, including in the home, as a way tominimise the risk of violence against children with disabilities.

Zimbabwe

Reported in The Zimbabwean, 14 October 2009

In a 2009 baseline study carried out by Plan on violence in schools in preparation for the launch of the“Learn Without Fear” campaign in the country, 67% of children and 35% of teachers surveyed agreedthat corporal punishment was inflicted by all teachers at one point or another, usually unrecorded andunreported.

(Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) (2015), Zimbabwe Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2014: Final Report,Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT))

A survey conducted in 2014 found that 63% of children age 1-14 years experienced “violent punishment”(psychological aggression and/or physical punishment) during the month preceding the survey: 53%experienced psychological aggression, 36% physical punishment and 5% severe physical punishment(hit/slapped on the face, head or ears and/or beat up, hit over and over as hard as one could). Harare hadthe highest percentage of severe physical punishment (8%), Matabeleland South Province the lowest(2%). Children aged 3-9 years were more likely to be subjected to violent discipline than any other agegroup and children in urban areas (68%) were subjected to some form of violent discipline more thantheir counterparts in rural areas (61%). On average, 38% of respondents believed that physicalpunishment is needed to bring up, raise, or educate a child properly. In contrast, 24% of childrenexperienced only non-violent discipline.

Prepared by the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Childrenwww.endcorporalpunishment.org; [email protected]/03/2016


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