African Child Day: Fighting Violence, Developing Safer Educational Environment for a Brighter Generation

The Day of the African Child (DAC) was celebrated on June 16th to commemorate the 1976 SOWETO children’s revolt, which resulted in the death of hundreds of students. The international day is now celebrated to recognize the accomplishments made in African children’s rights and raise awareness about the difficulties they face.
Violence against children/minors is a conundrum that requires immediate response, as it encompasses physical violence and sexual abuse among other things that should be addressed.
Corporal/Physical Punishment (Physical Abuse) or Physical Violence are all synonyms for “the most common form of violence” against children. It breaches their rights to physical integrity and respect for their human dignity, and has a negative impact on both society and individuals, as stated by the Global Partnership and Fund to End Violence Against Children.
It is defined by the World Health Organization Committee as any act of hitting, kicking, shaking, throwing, scratching, pinching, biting, pulling hair, forcing children to remain in uncomfortable positions, burning, scalding, or forced ingestion.
According to the latest report by African Pan Afrobarometer on child violence released on Friday, under the title “Day of the African Child: Afrobarometer survey shows majority support for corporal punishment, but opposition growing” which coincides with Africa Child Day, the majority of Africans believe that using physical force to discipline children is legitimate, however opposition to this practice has grown dramatically in the last five years.
Malawi (74%), Tanzania (72%), and Morocco (72%), are the most opposed countries to physical violence against children, while Benin (88%), Cameroon (87%), Burkina Faso (86%), and Niger (85%) are the most supportive.
The report further showed that opposition is stronger among citizens with formal education (40%-41% vs 29% without formal education) and grows even stronger for respondents enjoying a good economic situation (34% of those suffering high lived poverty vs. 49% of those experiencing no lived poverty). Urban residents (40%) are slightly more inclined to oppose physical punishment than rural residents (36%).
According to the survey, 53% of Moroccans support corporal punishment as a justified act in order to modify their children’s behaviors. Between 2016 and 2022, there was a 5% fall in the percentage of African individuals who believe in physical punishment when raising their children, with a 2% decrease in Morocco.
Concerning sexual violence, the UNICEF defines it as the use of a position of authority for sexual motives against the children. It is the physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether through force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Raising awareness about consent, providing secure reporting procedures, and providing support services are essential to prevent and address sexual abuse. Empowering children through education about body autonomy, limits, and healthy relationships enables them to protect themselves and seek help when needed.
“In general, Moroccan boys and girls are subjected to high levels of violence in all environments where they grow. The most frequently mentioned locations are homes, schools, and the street. However, there are no safe areas free of violence, and child welfare institutions are no exception,” reported a study on gender-based violence in Morocco conducted by the Association for a Better Future for Our Children (AMANE).
The majority of such associations advocate gentler, more flexible parenting methods to create a more welcoming atmosphere where empathy, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution skills are prioritized.
Morocco has made child protection a pressing priority, incorporating it into national legislation and launching initiatives to protect children, according to the Moroccan delegation’s announcement at the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) meeting in October 2022 in Addis Ababa.
Research Center on Child Soldier Prevention was established in Dakhla to collect data and develop concrete proposals using a pluralistic approach.
With the rise of child abuse cases, Morocco’s Ministries of Justice and Family announced late April that they intend to create institutions to provide shelter and protection for children who were victims of rape. This initiative is aimed at supporting victims, taking them out of the abusive environment and ensuring a brighter future for them.