Corporalpunishmentofchildrenin
Yemen
ReportpreparedbytheGlobalInitiativetoEndAllCorporalPunishmentof
Children(www.endcorporalpunishment.org)
LASTUPDATEDJuly2016
Childpopulation
12,629,000(UNICEF,2015)
Summaryofnecessarylegalreformtoachievefullprohibition
Prohibitionisstilltobeachievedinthehome,alternativecaresettings,somedaycareandasa
sentenceforcrime.
TheChildren’sRightsAct2002recognises“thelegalandlegislativerightsofparentstodisciplinetheir
children”(art.146c).Thenearuniversalsocialacceptanceofcorporalpunishmentinchildrearing
necessitatesclarityinlawthatnolevelofcorporalpunishmentislawfuloracceptable.Article146cof
theChildren’sRightsActshouldberepealedandlegislationamendedtoprohibitallcorporal
punishmentandothercruelordegradingformsofpunishment,inthehomeandallothersettings
whereadultshaveauthorityoverchildren.
Alternativecaresettings–Corporalpunishmentshouldbeprohibitedinallalternativecaresettings
(fostercare,institutions,placesofsafety,emergencycare,etc).
Daycare–Corporalpunishmentshouldbeprohibitedinallearlychildhoodcare(nurseries,crèches,
kindergartens,preschools,familycentres,etc)andalldaycareforolderchildren(daycentres,afterschoolchildcare,childminding,etc).Ithaspossiblyalreadybeenachievedinpreschoolsettings.
Sentenceforcrime–Legalprovisionsforjudicialcorporalpunishment,includingdoctrinal
punishments,shouldberepealed.
Detailedcountryreport
Currentlegalityofcorporalpunishment
Home
Corporalpunishmentislawfulinthehome.Article146oftheChildren’sRightsAct2002confirms
“thelegalandlegislativerightsofparentstodisciplinetheirchildren”.Provisionsagainstviolenceand
abuseintheChildren’sRightsAct,theCriminalCode1994andtheProtectionAgainstDomestic
ViolenceAct2008arenotinterpretedasprohibitingcorporalpunishmentinchildrearing.
In2010,amendmentstotheCriminalCodeandtheChildren’sRightsActwereunderdiscussionwhich
hadbeendraftedwithaviewtoaddressingcorporalpunishmentbutatthattimeproposed
provisionsincludedconfirmationofthe“righttodisciplinechildren”.InreportingtotheUniversal
PeriodicReviewofYemenin2014,theGovernmentstatedthat,incooperationwithUNICEF,itis
1
reviewingcurrentlegislationonchildrenwithaviewtoproposingdraftnewlegislationinlinewith
theConventionontheRightsoftheChild;itindicatedthataChildren’sBillisunderdiscussion.1Asat
February2015,thedraftChildRightsLawhadbeensubmittedbytheMinistryofLegalAffairstothe
Cabinetandwasawaitingapproval;itdidnotincludeprohibitionofcorporalpunishmentbyparents.
AnewConstitutionisunderdiscussion.AsatFebruary2015thedraftstatesthateveryonehasthe
right“tophysical,mentalandpsychologicalwell-being”andprohibits“physical,mental,psychological
torture”(art.77)andthatchildrenhavetherightto“protectionfromnegligence,economic,social
andsexualabuse,therisksofhumantraffickingandsmuggling,anddetrimentalculturalpractices,
andallthatunderminesdignityandprejudicestheirhealth,physicalandpsychologicalwellbeing”
(art.122);article125states:“Itisprohibitedtoexerciseanyformofviolenceorforceagainst
children….”Itdoesnotexplicitlyprohibitallcorporalpunishment.
Alternativecaresettings
Corporalpunishmentislawfulinalternativecaresettings.Article146oftheChildren’sRightsAct
2002,confirming“thelegalandlegislativerightsofparentstodisciplinetheirchildren”,presumably
appliestoallpersonswithparentalauthority.AsatFebruary2015,thedraftChildRightsLawunder
discussiondoesnotincludeprohibitionofcorporalpunishmentinalternativecaresettings.
Daycare
Corporalpunishmentislawfulinearlychildhoodcareandindaycareforolderchildren.Article146of
theChildren’sRightsAct2002,confirming“thelegalandlegislativerightsofparentstodiscipline
theirchildren”presumablyappliestoallpersonswithparentalauthority.Corporalpunishmentis
possiblyunlawfulinpreschoolsundereducationlegislation(seeunder“Schools”).AsatFebruary
2015,thedraftChildRightsLawunderdiscussiondidnotincludeprohibitionofcorporalpunishment
indaycare.
Schools
Corporalpunishmentisexplicitlyprohibitedinschoolsbyarticle68oftheregulationsgoverning
schoolpunishment2001.TheMinistryofEducationdevelopedamanualonalternativestocorporal
punishmentforinclusioninthe2008teachertrainingpackage.InreportingtotheCommitteeonthe
RightsoftheChildin2010,theGovernmentreferredtoMinisterialDecisionNo.10of2002which
prohibitscorporalandpsychologicalpunishmentinschools.2ThedraftChildRightsLawunder
discussioninFebruary2015wouldconfirmprohibitionofcorporalpunishmentinschools,statingin
article117:“TheMinistryofEducationshallputinplaceallthemeasuresthatguaranteeimproving
schooladministrationsystemandstrengthenstudentandparentsinvolvementinalldecisionsrelated
tostudents.TheMinistryofEducationshallalsoharmonisebetweentheschooladministrationand
studentdignityanditshalltakeanydecisionsorcarryoutanyprogramstoeliminateallformsof
violence,includingphysicalorhumiliatingpunishments,inschoolsregardlessoftheirsources.”
1
2
8November2013,A/HRC/WG.6/18/YEM/1,NationalreporttotheUPR,para.101
23October2012,CRC/C/YEM/4,Fourthstatepartyreport,para.367
2
Penalinstitutions
Corporalpunishmentisunlawfulasadisciplinarymeasureinpenalinstitutions.TheConstitution
statesinarticle47(b):“Physicalpunishmentandinhumanetreatmentduringarrest,detentionor
imprisonmentareprohibited.”Underarticle4oftheOrganisationofPrisonsAct1991theprison
directormustensurethatprisonstaffmemberstreatdetaineeshumanelyandwithrespectfortheir
dignity.TheJuvenileWelfareAct(art.14)prohibitsthemistreatmentofjuvenilesandtheuseof
physicalcoercionwhenenforcingcourtrulings,thoughdoesnotexplicitlyprohibitcorporal
punishment.ThedraftConstitutionstatesinarticle127that“children,duringarrestorrestrictionof
freedom,shallbetreatedinamannerthatprotectsthemandmaintainstheirdignity”.
Sentenceforcrime
Corporalpunishmentislawfulasasentenceforcrimeunderarticle38oftheCriminalCode1994,
whichprovidesforamputation,retribution-in-kindandflogging;accordingtoarticle31,children
betweentheagesof15and18maybegivenreducedsentences;childrenbetween7and15years
mayreceivethemeasuresprovidedforintheJuvenileWelfareAct1992,whichdonotinclude
corporalpunishmentthoughitisnotexplicitlyprohibited.TheChildren’sRightsAct2002doesnot
prohibitdoctrinalpunishment(seebelow):achildaged10orunderisnotliabletothepunishments
prescribedintheCriminalCode,butachild“infullpossessionofhismentalfaculties”isliabletoup
toathirdofthemaximumpenaltyprescribedfortheoffence(art.125).
TheCriminalCodeandtheCodeofCriminalProcedure1994allowforsentencesofretribution(qisas)
anddoctrinalpunishment(hadd)(CriminalCode,art.11;CriminalProcedureCode,arts.477to493).
Qisaspunishmentsareorderedforoffencesagainstthepersonleadingtoinjuryordeath(Criminal
Code,art.13),andtheyinvolvetheinflictiononthedefendantofthesameinjuryforwhichheorshe
wasconvictedofinflictingonthevictim.Manyoftheprovisionsincriminallawwhichprotectthe
dignityoftheoffenderorprohibitinhumantreatmentincludetheclausethatthey“shallbewithout
prejudicetotherightofvictimstoclaimretribution.”Haddpunishmentsaremandatorypunishments
fortheoffencesoftransgression,apostasy,banditry,theft,adultery,slanderanddrinkingalcohol
(CriminalCode,art.12).Undercertaincircumstances,doctrinalpunishmentsdonotapply(e.g.see
CriminalCodearts.266onadulteryand299ontheft),andtheGovernmenthasstatedthatthese
groundsfornon-applicability“aresuchastomaketheuseofthosepunishmentsnearlyimpossible”.3
Whenapersonissentencedto“retaliationresultinginlossoflifeorlimb”,theDepartmentofPublic
ProsecutionsmustinformtheSupremeCourt,whichmaysetasidethesentence(CriminalProcedure
Code,art.434);thePresidentmustratifythesentenceandissueaDecreebeforeitcanbecarriedout
(arts.479and480).Itshouldnottakeplaceonanofficialorreligiousholiday(CriminalCode,art.
484).
TheCriminalProcedureCodestatesthatdoctrinalandretribution-in-kindsentencesshouldtake
placeinahospitalorotherdesignatedplace,inthepresenceofamemberoftheGeneral
Prosecution,theInvestigationsClerk,apoliceofficerandadoctor,aswellasthevictim’srelatives
andlegalrepresentative(art.483).Doctrinalamputation“shallbecarriedoutbyasharptoolonthe
righthandatthewristandonthefootattheankle”(art.489).Injuriesinflictedinfulfilmentof
retribution-in-kindsentencesmustbesimilartotheoriginalinjury(forwhichthedefendanthasbeen
convicted)and“boththeinjuredorganoftheplaintiffandthevindicatingorganofthesentenced
defendant[mustbe]equalinhealthandsoundness;”compliancewiththeseconditionsmustbe
certifiedbyamedicaldoctor(art.490).Thesentencemustbecarriedout“bytheseveranceofthe
3
23February2004,CCPR/C/YEM/2004/4,FourthstatepartyreporttotheHumanRightsCommittee,para.167
3
organdescribedintheverdict,bymeansoftheappropriatesharptool,atthejointorboundary
wheresuchorganterminates,”unlessthedoctorconsidersthiswouldputthedefendant’slifeatrisk;
emergencymedicaltreatmentmustbeprovidedfollowingthepunishment(art.491).
Floggingshouldbeinflictedwith“asinglesoftstrap,withoutanyknotsatitsend”,inthepresenceof
witnesses.Menmaysitorstand,womenmustsit.Thelashingproceedsfromthefoottotheneck,
avoidingthehead,andismoresevereincasesofadultery.Thefloggingmustbesupervisedbya
medicaldoctor,whomustensurethatitwillnotleadtodeath(CriminalProcedureCode,art.492).
AsatFebruary2015,thedraftChildRightsLawunderdiscussionwouldprohibitthesentencingof
childrentocorporalpunishment,statinginarticle191(A):“Achildshallnotbesubjecttodeath
penalty,alife-timeimprisonmentorfinancialorphysicalpunishments.”
UniversalPeriodicReviewofYemen’shumanrightsrecord
YemenwasreviewedinthefirstcycleoftheUniversalPeriodicReviewin2009(session5).The
followingrecommendationsweremade:4
“Stopthesentencingofchildrentoanyformofphysicalpunishment(UnitedKingdom);
“Abolishtortureandothercruel,inhumananddegradingtreatmentinallforms,inparticular
stoning,floggingandtheamputationoflimbs,andtheexecutionofminors,asrecommended
bytheHumanRightsCommitteeandtherelevantspecialmandateholders,respectively
(Israel);
“Abolishcorporalpunishmentssuchasfloggingand,inafewcases,amputationoflimbs,as
theyareinviolationofarticle7ofICCPR.(Nigeria)”
TheGovernmentacceptedthefirstoftheserecommendationsbutrejectedtheothertwo.
ThesecondcyclereviewofYementookplacein2014(session18).Nospecificrecommendationson
corporalpunishmentweremadebutthefollowingrecommendationsweremadeandwereaccepted
bytheGovernment:5
“Continueeffortstoadoptandimplementlegislativeandadministrativemeasures
forthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild(Chile);
“Sparenoefforttoexpeditetheguaranteeoftherightsofthechildatthe
constitutionallevel(Guatemala);
“Establishaninstitutionalframeworkwhichprotectstherightsofthechildand
guaranteesimplementationoftheserights(Senegal);
“Continuetheeffortsinthefieldofthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsof
vulnerablegroupsofthepopulation,particularlychildren,womenandpersons
withdisabilities(Djibouti);
“Protectandpromotethehumanrightsoftheentirepopulation,particularlythemost
vulnerablegroupssuchaswomen,childrenandminorities,andincludetheserightsinthe
upcomingconstitutionalreviewprocess(Colombia)”
4
5
5June2009,A/HRC/12/13,Reportoftheworkinggroup,paras.91(54),94(9)and94(10)
7April2014,A/HRC/26/8,Reportoftheworkinggroup,paras.115(19),115(20),115(39),115(48)and115(49)
4
Recommendationsbyhumanrightstreatybodies
CommitteeontheRightsoftheChild
(31January2014,CRC/C/YEM/CO/4AdvanceUneditedVersion,Concludingobservationsonfourth
statepartyreport,paras.7,8,43and44)
“TheCommittee,whilewelcomingtheStateparty’seffortstoimplementtheCommittee’sconcluding
observationsof2005ontheStateparty’sthirdperiodicreport(CRC/C/15/Add.267),noteswithregret
thatsomeoftherecommendationscontainedthereinhavenotbeenfullyaddressed.
“TheCommitteeurgestheStatepartytotakeallnecessarymeasurestoaddressthose
recommendationsfromtheconcludingobservationsofthethirdperiodicreportunderthe
Conventionthathavenotbeenimplementedorsufficientlyimplemented,particularlythoserelated
tothedefinitionofthechild,corporalpunishment,harmfulpractices,educationandadministration
ofjuvenilejustice.
“TheCommitteenotesthattheMinistryofEducationissuedDecreeNo.426(2012)prohibiting
corporalpunishmentinschools.However,itisconcernedatthechallengestotheeffective
implementationofthisdecree,suchasthelackofadequatemonitoringmechanisms,theteachers’
preconceptionsregardingcorporalpunishmentasadisciplinarymeasureandthelackof
accountabilitymechanisms.Itremainsconcernedthatcorporalpunishmentcontinuestobewidely
usedwithinthefamily,inalternativecaresettingsandasasentenceforacrime.
“TheCommitteeurgestheStatepartyto:
a)explicitlyprohibitinitslegislationallformsofcorporalpunishmentincludingbyadoptingthedraft
amendmentspackageontherightsofthechild;
b)introducesustainedpubliceducation,awareness-raisingandsocialmobilizationprogrammes,
involvingchildren,families,communities,traditionalandreligiousleaders,ontheharmfuleffects,
bothphysicalandpsychological,ofcorporalpunishment,withaviewtochangingthegeneralattitude
towardsthispractice;
c)ensurethatlegalproceedingsaresystematicallyinitiatedagainstthoseresponsibleforill-treating
children;
d)promotepositive,non-violentandparticipatoryformsofchild-rearinganddiscipline;and
e)establishachild-friendlycomplaintsmechanism.”
(21September2005,CRC/C/15/Add.267,Concludingobservationsonthirdreport,paras.41,42and
43)
“TheCommitteeisdeeplyconcernedthatcorporalpunishmentisstillusedasadisciplinarymeasure
inschoolsdespiteitsofficialprohibitionandiswidelypractisedwithinthefamilyandinother
settings.TheCommitteeisfurtherconcernedthatcorporalpunishment,includingflogging,isstill
lawfulasasentenceforcrime.
“TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStateparty,asamatterofurgency:
a)reviewexistinglegislationandexplicitlyprohibitallformsofcorporalpunishment;
b)abolishbylawthepossibilityofsentencingachildtoanyformofphysicalpunishment;and
c)undertakewell-targetedpublic-awarenesscampaignsonthenegativeimpactofcorporal
punishmentonchildren,andprovideteachersandparentswithtrainingonnon-violentformsof
disciplineasanalternativetocorporalpunishment.
5
“TheCommitteealsoreiteratesitspreviousconcludingrecommendations(CRC/C/15/Add.102,
paras,21and34)andjoinsitsvoicetothosemadebytheHumanRightsCommittee
(CCPR/C/75/YEM,para.16),andtheCommitteeAgainstTorture(CAT/C/CR/31/4,para.7).”
(10May1999,CRC/C/15/Add.102,Concludingobservationsonsecondreport,paras.21and34)
“AlthoughtheCommitteeisawarethatill-treatmentofchildrenisprohibitedbylaw,itremains
concernedthattheuseofcorporalpunishmentbyparentsiswidelyregardedtobeacceptable.The
CommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyreinforcemeasurestoraiseawarenessonthenegative
effectsofcorporalpunishmentandensurethatdisciplineinschools,familiesandallinstitutionsis
administeredinamannerconsistentwiththechild’sdignity,inthelightofarticles3,12,19and28of
theConvention.TheCommitteefurthersuggeststhattheStatepartyensurethatalternative
disciplinarymeasuresaredevelopedwithinthefamilyandinschoolsandotherinstitutions.
“WhilenotingthattheStatepartyhasinplacedomesticlegislationrelatingtojuvenilejustice,the
Committeeremainsconcernedatthegeneralsituationoftheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeandin
particularitscompatibilitywiththeConvention,aswellaswithotherrelevantUnitedNations
standards.TheCommitteeisespeciallyconcernedaboutthelackofdetentioncentresforfemale
juvenileoffenders;theuseofdetentionotherthanasameasureoflastresort;thepoorliving
conditionsindetentioncentres;theuseofphysicalpunishment,includingflogging,andtorturein
detentioncentres;thelackofrehabilitationmeasuresandeducationalfacilitiesforjuvenile
offenders;andtheplacementof‘potentialdelinquents’indetentioncentresinsteadofcare
institutionsfortheirrehabilitation.Furthermore,theCommitteeconsidersthattheageofcriminal
responsibility,setat7years,istoolow.TheCommitteereiteratesitsrecommendations(see
CRC/C/15/Add.47,para.21)thattheStatepartytakeallmeasurestoreviewitslegislationinorderto
reflectfullytheprovisionsoftheConvention,inparticulararticles37,40and39,aswellasother
relevantinternationalstandardsinthisarea,suchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandthe
UnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.Trainingprogrammes
onrelevantinternationalstandardsshouldbeorganizedforallprofessionalsworkinginthesystemof
juvenilejustice.TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyconsiderseekingtechnical
assistancefrom,interalia,theOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights,the
CentreforInternationalCrimePrevention,theInternationalNetworkonJuvenileJusticeandUNICEF
throughtheCoordinationPanelonJuvenileJustice.”
HumanRightsCommittee
(23April2012,CCPR/C/YEM/CO/5,Concludingobservationsonfifthreport,para.20)
“TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelegalityofcorporalpunishmentasaformofcriminal
sanction,whichincludesflogging,amputationandstoning.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedabout
reportsofcorporalpunishmentsagainstchildrenoutsidejudicialspheressuchaswithinthefamily
andinschools(arts.6,7and24).
TheStatepartyshouldtakepracticalstepstoputanendtocorporalpunishmentinallsettings.It
shouldencouragenonviolentformsofdisciplineasalternativestocorporalpunishment,andshould
conductpublicinformationcampaignstoraiseawarenessaboutitsharmfuleffects.”
(9August2005,CCPR/CO/84/YEM,Concludingobservationsonfourthreport,para.16)
6
“TheCommitteereiteratesitsdeepconcernthatcorporalpunishmentssuchasflogging,andinafew
casesevenamputationoflimbs,arestillprescribedbylawandpractisedintheStateparty,in
violationofarticle7oftheCovenant.
TheStatePartyshouldimmediatelyputanendtosuchpracticesandmodifyitslegislation
accordingly,inordertoensureitsfullcompatibilitywiththeCovenant.”
(26July2002,CCPR/CO/75/YEM,Concludingobservationsonthirdreport,para.16)
“TheCommitteeisextremelyconcernedtofindthatamputationandflagellation,andingeneral
corporalpunishmentarestillprescribedbylawandpractised,contrarytoarticle7oftheCovenant.
TheStatepartyshouldtakeappropriatemeasurestoputanendtosuchpracticesandtoensure
respectfortheprovisionsoftheCovenant.”
(3October1995,CCPR/C/79/Add.51;A/50/40,paras.242-265,Concludingobservationsonsecond
report,paras.256and262)
“…TheCommitteeisalsodeeplyconcernedaboutthemaintenanceofcorporalpunishmentslike
amputationoflimbsandwhipping,whichisinviolationofarticle7oftheCovenant.
“…TheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmenttaketheinitiativeforthetotalabolishmentof
corporalpunishment.”
CommitteeAgainstTorture
(25May2010,CAT/C/YEM/CO/2/Rev.1,Concludingobservationsonsecondreport,para.18)
“TheCommitteeremainsconcernedthatcertaincriminalsanctions(orhaddpenalties)suchas
floggings,beatingsandevenamputationoflimbsarestillprescribedbylawandpractisedintheState
party,inviolationoftheConvention.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedatreportsthatcourtsacross
thecountryimposesentencesoffloggingalmostdailyforallegedalcoholandsexualoffences,and
thatsuchfloggingsarecarriedoutimmediately,inpublic,withoutappeal.Itisalsoconcernedatthe
widediscretionarypowersofjudgestoimposethesesanctionsandthattheymaybeimposedina
discriminatorywayagainstdifferentgroups,includingwomen(arts.1,2and16).
TheStatepartyshouldputanendimmediatelytosuchpracticesandmodifyitslegislation
accordingly,especiallywithregardtothediscriminatoryeffectsofsuchcriminalsanctionson
differentgroups,includingwomen,inordertoensureitsfullcompatibilitywiththeConvention.”
(5February2004,CAT/C/CR/31/4,Concludingobservationsoninitialreport,paras.6and7)
“TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernaboutthefollowing:
b)thenatureofsomecriminalsanctions,inparticularfloggingandamputationoflimbs,whichmay
beinbreachoftheConvention….
“TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStateparty:
b)takeallappropriatemeasurestoensurethatcriminalsanctionsareinfullconformitywiththe
Convention….”
7
CommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights
(1June2011,E/C.12/YEM/CO/2,Concludingobservationsonsecondreport,para.22)
“TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthatcorporalpunishmentofchildrenmaybeappliedasa
penaltyincriminalproceedings,andthatitislawfulandwidelyusedinthehomeandalternativecare
settingsasadisciplinarymethod(art.10).
TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyurgentlyadoptlegislationexplicitlyprohibiting
corporalpunishmentofchildreninallsettings,includingasapenaltyincriminalproceedings,aswell
asathomeandinalternativecaresettings.”
Prevalence/attitudinalresearchinthelasttenyears
Researchinvolvingcaregiversandteachersof1,196randomlysampled7-10yearoldsfoundharsh
corporalpunishmentisverycommoninYemen:morethanhalfofruralcaregiversandabouta
quarterofurbancaregiversreportedusingharshcorporalpunishment(hittingchildrenwith
implements,tyingthemup,pinchingthem,orbitingthem).Theresearchfoundharshcorporal
punishmenttobesignificantlyassociatedwithpoorschoolperformanceandbothbehaviouraland
emotionaldifficulties.
(Alyahria,A.&Goodman,R.(2008),“HarshcorporalpunishmentofYemenichildren:Occurrence,typeandassociations”,
ChildAbuse&Neglect,32(8),766–773)
Astudycarriedoutin2010,whichinvolved1,06612-17yearoldsfrom8schools,foundthat55.7%
hadbeenslappedontheface,beatenontheheadorshoulder,punched,kicked,pinched,hadtheir
hairpulled,hadtheirearstwisted,hadtheirhandscrushed,hadanobjectthrownatthem,been
forcedtostandinapainfulpositionortostandinthesunand/orhadfoodtakenawayfromthemby
ateacherorotherstaffatschool.Teacherswerethemostcommonperpetrators.Themostcommon
physicalpunishmentswereforcingchildrentostandinapainfulposition(experiencedby40%),
twistingtheirears(34.4%)andforcingthemtostandinthesun(33.9%).
(Ba-Saddik,A.S.&Hattab,A.S.(2013),“Physicalabuseinbasic-educationschoolsinAdengovernorate,Yemen:acrosssectionalstudy”,EasternMediterraneanHealthJournal,19(4),333-339)
A2010UNICEFanalysisofdatafrom2005-2006foundthat95%ofchildrenaged2-14experienced
violent“discipline”(physicalpunishmentand/orpsychologicalaggression)inthehomeinthemonth
priortothesurvey.Eight-sixpercentexperiencedphysicalpunishment,whileasmallerpercentage
(44%)ofmothersandcaregiversthoughtphysicalpunishmentwasnecessaryinchildrearing;nonviolentdisciplinewasalsowidelyused,experiencedby94%ofchildren.Morethanfourchildrenin
tenwereseverelyphysicallypunished(hitorslappedontheface,headorearsorhitoverandover
withanimplement),93%experiencedpsychologicalaggression(beingshoutedat,yelledat,
screamedatorinsulted).Childrenaged5-9weremorelikelytoexperienceviolentdisciplinethan
thoseofotherages(97%of5-9yearoldscomparedto92%of2-4yearoldsand95%of10-14year
olds).Nosignificantdifferencesinchildren’sexperienceofviolentdisciplinewerefoundaccordingto
sex,levelofeducationofadultsinthehouseholdorengagementinchildlabour.
(UNICEF(2010),ChildDisciplinaryPracticesatHome:EvidencefromaRangeofLow-andMiddle-IncomeCountries,NY:
UNICEF)
A2007studyfoundthatchildreninschoolsusuallyexperienceverbalviolencewhentheydonotdo
theirhomework,misbehaveinclassordonotfollowschoolregulations,withwordslike“stupid”,
“donkey”,“troublemaker”,etcusedtoinsultthem.
(Al-Khather,N.(2007),Violenceagainstchildrenfromaculturalperspective,citedinManaraNetworkforChildRights
(2011),ViolenceAgainstChildreninSchools:ARegionalAnalysisofLebanon,MoroccoandYemen,Beirut:Savethe
ChildrenSweden)
8
GlobalInitiativetoEndAllCorporalPunishmentofChildren
www.endcorporalpunishment.org;[email protected]
July2016
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