Konpal Child Abuse Prevention Society on Friday appreciated Sindh Assembly (SA) members for adopting of a resolution against “Corporal Punishment” in local educational institutions.
A senior child specialist and Konpal coordinator Dr Ayesha Mehnaz said there was an urgent need to raise public awareness, particularly among parents and teachers about the implication of corporal punishment on physical and emotional growth of children.
“The significance of this practice in influencing drop-out rate from local schools cannot be ignored,” she told APP.
“Resolution to scrap a law, Section 89 of Pakistan Penal Code and used to justify corporal punishment, is definitely a positive development,” she said in reply to a question.
Dr Ayesha said that Konpal had always been very proactive in raising voice for the rights of children and against all kinds of injustice meted out towards children.
Konpal comprised of senior doctors, including child psychologists, pediatricians and medical experts from different fields of medicine who have been constantly struggling to pass a law that would ban corporal punishment in all schools and seminaries in the country.
“It is appreciable that at least the issue has been raised and a resolution against the practice has been unanimously adopted by the members of the provincial assembly,” said Dr Ayesha.
In reply to a question, she said protection of children against all forms of abuse must be the primary concern of not only the government but also of all members of the society.
Konpal Child Abuse Prevention Society was established as an NGO working against all forms of child abuse in the society. It also comprised of child rights activists who shared a common vision for the society. It also worked against involvement of children in hazardous occupations, armed conflicts and violence.