Afghanistan: Training programmes for teachers to
encourage the discipline without violence at school
In 2003, the Government of Afghanistan, together with UNICEF and Save the Children, developed two training
modules for teachers and health workers to emphasise the importance of using non-violent methods of discipline
in schools and in the home. The module for teachers was incorporated into the “National Teacher Training
Programme” which, among other objectives, was intended to build an understanding of the development of
child psychology and to explain positive discipline skills to put in practice in the classroom. In 2008, Afghanistan
prohibited corporal punishment in schools under article 39 of the Education Act.
Spain: Providing resources to parents to educate their children
without violence before and after the enactment of the law
Before the enactment of the full prohibition of corporal punishment in Spain in 2007, Save the Children developed
a training programme for parents within the campaign “Educa, no pegues” (Educate, don’t hit) to provide them
with resources to educate children without violence and to help parents feel supported and more confident
when implementing positive discipline. Soon after the launch of the campaign, around 70 organisations and
public institutions, including the Ministry of Social Welfare, were also participating. Every training session was
conducted by a professional in positive discipline methodology and focused on issues such as “the child as subject
of rights” and “the importance of a healthy psychological development during childhood”. The Spanish experience
showed it is important the legal reform comes with educational programmes on alternatives to corporal
punishment in order to be effective.
5 Monitoring and reporting for more effective and ongoing implementation
Systematic monitoring and reporting of the situation of corporal punishment of children in a country, including
the collection of sufficient, reliable and disaggregated data, has helped States evaluate implementation and
identify challenges and areas for greater inputs. National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have an important
role to play in monitoring implementation and ought to incorporate children’s rights within their national action
plans. Likewise, good State practices include visits to institutions and centres for children (such as orphanages,
group homes, unaccompanied child asylum-seeker centres, or residential centres, juvenile justice facilities, etc.)
by national preventive mechanisms set up by States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against
Torture (OPCAT) or other independent monitoring bodies.
Lebanon: E-helpline for children victims of violence to report their cases
In 2012, the Government of Lebanon, together with World Vision and the local CSO Himaya, introduced a
e-helpline for children victims of violence to report their situations with a team of professionals without delay.
This e-helpline, still operative today, consists of a reporting mechanism that provides online technical support,
as well as referrals and counselling, for children victims of violence. Experience demonstrates that e-helplines
are an effective tool to collect information on cases of violence against children, to bring them to the attention of
relevant authorities and to provide psychological support to child victims of violence.
TOOL: Positive Discipline and Alternatives to Corporal Punishment of Children
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