Draft legislation against corporal punishment okayed

Islamabad: A Senate panel approved the proposed legislation against the beating of children by teachers or employers.

The Islamabad Capital Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2021, moved by Senator Saadia Abbasi of the opposition PML-N was approved by the Senate standing Committee on Human Rights after some amendments.

The bill is meant to protect children from corporal punishment at workplaces, in educational institutions and seminaries, childcare institutions, rehab centres, and institutions of the juvenile justice system in the federal capital. The approved draft will be sent to the Senate for discussion and approval.

Senator Saadia insisted that physical punishment had a negative bearing on the personalities and health of children, especially behaviour and emotional well-being.