RAWALPINDI, July 26: Physical and psychological punishments and early marriages are impediment to development of children.

These were the views of speakers from seven South Asian nations at the concluding session of two-day meeting of South Asian Forum on ending violence against children.

Violence is committed against children across all sections of the society, and poverty, unemployment and financial problems increase the incidence of such practices, they said. Lack of education and awareness and discriminatory treatment of boys and girls are additional causes of violence against children.

Our traditional and cultural practices, absence of proper laws and non-implementation of the existing ones are also major reasons for the failure to prevent violence against children.

Children lose their interest in education as a result of violence and even leave schools and homes which result in child labour and criminal activities.

Early marriages allow for easy spread of diseases and also increase population. Young mothers cannot provide care to their babies and fulfil the required responsibility, they said.

The participants recommended creation of laws, changing them if necessary and stressed that the laws be followed in true spirit. They also urged the provision of quality education to children for maximum development.

The participants included representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. India was conspicuous by its absence.

Speaking on the occasion, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain urged closer cooperation among South Asian countries to prevent violence against children.

He said protecting children from violence was our joint responsibility as they were most vulnerable in our societies.

The speaker said media could play an important role in exposing evils and promoting virtues. Federal Minister for Social welfare and Special Education Zubaida Jalal said that violation of child rights has serious and lifelong repercussion. The problems is pervasive and its presence in spread across geographical, cultural and religious and socio- economic boundaries.

Ignorance and denial of violence against children along with societal belief have sheltered this abuse and protected the perpetrators, she said.