JOINT STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END CORPORAL PUNISHMENT - 2024

30th April marks the International Day to End Corporal Punishment, the only global day dedicated to addressing a specific form of child abuse. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989—the most widely ratified treaty on children’s rights—requires all states to take appropriate legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect children from every form of violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or exploitation, including sexual abuse, whether at home or under the care of others.

Yet, corporal punishment remains the most common form of child abuse, affecting more than 1.3 billion children worldwide. Its consequences place a heavy burden on education, health, law and order, and social services, reducing the productive contribution of future generations. Shockingly, 4 in 5 children aged 2–14 years experience corporal punishment at home each year—through physical punishment and/or psychological aggression. Research shows strong evidence linking such violent punishment to serious and lasting harm for both children and society, including significant economic costs.

Children are the most vulnerable group in any nation. Protecting and promoting their rights requires effective legislation and strong social systems. In 2015, countries across the world committed to Sustainable Development Goal 16.2: to end all forms of violence against children by 2030. However, progress so far has been far from satisfactory. With only six years left until 2030, the year 2024 is critical for keeping the global promise to end violence against children.

 

30th April marks the International Day to End Corporal Punishment, the only global day dedicated to addressing a specific form of child abuse. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989—the most widely ratified treaty on children’s rights—requires all states to take appropriate legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect children from every form of violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or exploitation, including sexual abuse, whether at home or under the care of others.

Yet, corporal punishment remains the most common form of child abuse, affecting more than 1.3 billion children worldwide. Its consequences place a heavy burden on education, health, law and order, and social services, reducing the productive contribution of future generations. Shockingly, 4 in 5 children aged 2–14 years experience corporal punishment at home each year—through physical punishment and/or psychological aggression. Research shows strong evidence linking such violent punishment to serious and lasting harm for both children and society, including significant economic costs.

Children are the most vulnerable group in any nation. Protecting and promoting their rights requires effective legislation and strong social systems. In 2015, countries across the world committed to Sustainable Development Goal 16.2: to end all forms of violence against children by 2030. However, progress so far has been far from satisfactory. With only six years left until 2030, the year 2024 is critical for keeping the global promise to end violence against children.

 

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