On 20th May 2025, a historic milestone was reached at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva, where the issue of corporal punishment against children was formally addressed as a critical public health concern for the very first time. This unprecedented side event, co-hosted by Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and his Costa Rican counterpart, Ms. Marcela Coen Murago, highlighted the urgent need to end corporal punishment worldwide and called on all nations to take decisive action.
Corporal punishment remains a widespread practice affecting an estimated 3 billion children globally. Recognized now as a major public health issue, its consequences are far-reaching and deeply damaging. The harmful effects extend beyond immediate physical injuries to long-term psychological trauma, impaired emotional development, and detrimental impacts on children’s relationships and overall well-being.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has increasingly emphasized the gravity of corporal punishment, stressing its role in perpetuating cycles of violence and negatively influencing child development. Research links corporal punishment to a host of adverse outcomes, including increased aggression, anxiety, depression, and lower cognitive functioning among children. These effects contribute not only to the individual child’s suffering but also to broader societal challenges, such as higher rates of violence and mental health disorders in adulthood.
The event co-hosted by the Kenyan and Costa Rican health leaders was notable for its inclusivity, drawing together a diverse group of international figures committed to child protection. Among those present were ministers and representatives from Thailand, Finland, and the World Health Organization, alongside key figures from child advocacy organizations. Their unified message underscored that corporal punishment is not merely a private or disciplinary issue but a significant public health threat requiring coordinated global response.
Kenya, represented by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, highlighted its leadership role in the fight against corporal punishment, proudly standing among 68 countries worldwide that have already enacted legislation banning the practice. Kenya’s progressive stance was presented as a model for other nations, reinforcing the idea that safeguarding children from violence is both a moral imperative and a public health necessity.
The event also called on countries that have yet to outlaw corporal punishment to take urgent steps to align their laws and policies with international child rights standards. The advocacy emphasized the importance of legal reform complemented by community education and support systems that promote positive, non-violent forms of child discipline.
Ending corporal punishment is part of a broader global agenda to promote safe and nurturing environments for children, which is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals related to health, education, and equality. Protecting children from violence contributes significantly to their ability to thrive, learn, and grow into healthy, productive adults.
Participants at the event agreed that addressing corporal punishment requires multi-sectoral collaboration involving health, education, social welfare, and justice sectors. Governments, civil society, and international organizations must work together to implement comprehensive strategies that prevent violence, provide support to affected families, and hold perpetrators accountable.
The recognition of corporal punishment as a public health issue at the World Health Assembly signals a pivotal shift in global health policy. By framing it as a matter of health and well-being rather than solely a disciplinary concern, the international community is better positioned to mobilize resources, research, and political will to end this harmful practice.
As the event concluded, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and his counterparts reaffirmed their commitment to continuing advocacy and action. The message was clear: corporal punishment must become a relic of the past, replaced by respectful and supportive approaches to child-rearing that honor children’s dignity and promote their full potential.
This historic gathering at WHA78 sets a precedent for future international efforts to protect children and underscores the shared responsibility of all nations to create a safer, healthier world for the next generation.
