The Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCC) with the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) launched “#NOගුටි”, the national campaign to end violence against children yesterday (21) at the Goethe-Institute in Colombo, in its latest efforts to protect the children of Sri Lanka.
The SCC along with the CPA launched #NOගුටි with the goal of eradicating corporal punishment and obtaining cabinet permission to implement the historic Supreme Court ruling of February 2021, which prohibits corporal punishment through Penal Code revisions. The campaign will be led by children with the guidance of influential celebrity Child Protection Goodwill Ambassadors and Sri Lanka’s child protection officials.
The event will see the appointment of influential persons as Child Protection Goodwill Ambassadors – a first in Sri Lanka. Renowned singer Umara Sinhawansa, “Voice 2021” winner Harith Wijeyratne, and Adithya Weliwatta have also worked on a special song for the campaign at the event with the hope of drawing people’s attention to the plight of victims of child abuse.
Is corporal punishment abuse?
Speaking to Brunch, SCC Founder Chairperson and CPA Co-Convener Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka explained that corporal punishment is a form of abuse that is rarely discussed within the Sri Lankan community, which is why they’ve taken it upon themselves to bring this issue to light and open much needed discussions.
Sharing some history, Dr. Wickramanayaka informed us that 30 years ago Sri Lanka ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), but with no palpable progress, the SCC along with the CPA commenced strong advocacy efforts of their own.
Reveleaing some shocking numbers, Dr. Wickramanayaka stated: “Ten children were physically and sexually abused, and murdered during the past 16 months and there has been no meaningful action taken by relevant authorities to resolve the crisis,” – adding that Sri Lanka is the only South Asian country that is committed to sustainable development goal (SDG) 16.2 to end violence against children, yet is considered one of the least safe for children in the world.
“We as a collective of social activists are working committedly to address these issues with the #NOගුටි campaign. Abuse is not the alternative to rectifying the (mis)behaviours of a child,” Dr. Wickramanayaka concluded.
Dr. Wickramanayaka also strongly stated that child protection is a collective social responsibility, and the SCC along with the CPA will continue its collaborative efforts to build a self-governing, ethical code of behavior to safeguard and promote the rights of victims of child abuse, while also preventing re-victimisation in the community.
Child Protection Goodwill Ambassadors
The SCC initiated the formation of Sri Lanka’s first CPA of credible organisations passionately committed to protecting and promoting the rights of children. The Alliance firmly believes that working cohesively towards focused targets will help achieve greater success, especially in advocacy work with relevant state institutions.
So, as child abuse rates rise, Dr. Wickramanayaka stated that Sri Lanka’s first ever Child Protection Goodwill Ambassadors are voluntarily leading the charge to help provide a safe environment for children. The celebrity ambassadors who were inducted will amplify the campaign’s cause. The children and newly designated ambassadors will lead the charge in campaigning for #NOගුටි. The ambassadors include Saranga Disasekara, Dinakshie Priyasad, Umara Sinhawansa, Harith Wijeratne, Adithya Weliwatta, Dr. Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Kalakeerthi Niranjani Shanmugaraja, Abisheka Fernando, Kaushalya Fernando, and Otara Gunewardene.
Sharing his thoughts on the issue at hand, Actor and Brand Ambassador for #NOගුටි Saranga Disasekara stated that first and foremost, we cannot raise our hands at children because we must understand and believe that it is not the correct thing to do. And if we do, we need to come to terms with the fact that we may regret it later.
“We also know that children mimic adults. They think that it is okay to do whatever adults do,” he commented, explaining that the same disciplining measures we use with our children are likely to be carried over into their own parenting approaches, and the cycle will continue.
In order to break this chain of abuse, he stated that, in his opinion, it is best to discipline children in an appropriate manner, so that these terrible parenting habits aren’t passed on to the following generation.
He also stated: “Spanking a child might leave them with negative memories. They are more prone to remembering traumatic incidents than happy moments, so rather than spanking, we have to educate children on what is good and bad.”
He further shared that he believes that all parents should allow their children freedom – within limits of course – to help them discern between right and wrong.
Website: www.stopchildcruelty.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stopchildcruelty
Email: info@stopchildcruelty.com
