This is with reference to violence against children cases in Faisalabad, Haripur and Lahore that I am writing to get the attention of the policy makers and federal and provincial legislators. Children are subjected to severe torture and abuse including corporal punishment in schools, madrassas and at work place with a complete silence from the policy makers and legislators.

One should not be a rocket scientist to understand that like any civilised society we need to legislate to respond the menace of corporal punishment across the country. Before the 18th Constitutional Amendment, there was a Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill 2009 placed before the National Assembly.

However, the bill could not be enacted due to various hurdles including the excuse of 18th constitutional amendment. Even if the National Assembly can’t legislate for the whole country, at least it should be able to legislate for Islamabad Capital Territory. This will also help provinces to adopt certain legislation required for their respective province.

Besides legislation, as far as schools and madrassas are concerned, teachers training is very important. The provincial and regional teachers training institutes should incorporate alternatives to corporal punishment and other mother teaching techniques in their curricula.

Furthermore, an awareness raising campaign should be initiated involving civil society, media including FM Radio, street theatre, etc., to educate masses about the negative effects of corporal punishment on children.

Pakistani media can learn from India where Indian Star Aamir Khan has started an excellent TV show on social issues: ‘Satyamev Jayate’, that has helped create widespread awareness about sensitive issues like child sexual abuse. Why not in Pakistan? Our prime time should not be only for politics rather there should be at least two days in a week on every channel for social issues like corporal punishment, child sexual abuse, child domestic labour, child marriages, high maternal and child mortality rates, etc.

ARSHAD MAHMOOD          Islamabad