World Health Organisation Executive Board receives its first ever statement on ending corporal punishment of children

Date: 19th March 2025
Category: Equal protection from assault

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised corporal punishment of children as a major public health concern. At the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, Kenya led the shared statement calling for an end to corporal punishment, with support from 11 other countries, including Romania, Sierra Leone, Brazil, and Spain.

The statement highlighted the serious harm caused by corporal punishment and made it clear that it does not improve behaviour but instead increases aggression and antisocial behaviour in children. The statement emphasised that legal bans and parenting programmes are effective alternatives that reduce reliance on physical punishment.

This move builds on a commitment made at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in 2024, where Kenya, Benin, Uganda, and Nigeria announced plans to push for a historic WHO resolution on the issue. Kenya and its supporters now plan to take further action at key global health events, including the World Health Assembly in May, where the WHO is expected to launch a new technical report on corporal punishment.

• Click here to read more and to find the statement