FWCC Condemns Corporal Punishment and Calls for Stronger Protection of Children

26 Mar, 2026

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre strongly condemns any form of corporal punishment in schools and reiterates that violence against children can never be justified under the guise of discipline.

Corporal punishment is not only harmful to a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing, it is also inconsistent with Fiji’s legal and human rights obligations. Children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence and this protection must be upheld in every space, especially in schools, where children should feel safe, supported and respected.

Under the Child Welfare Act 2010, teachers are recognised as mandatory reporters. This places a clear legal and ethical duty on educators to identify, report and prevent harm against children. Teachers are entrusted with the care and protection of students and any breach of this responsibility must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. Acts of violence by those in positions of authority are not only a violation of that trust but a failure of duty.

Fiji is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires the State to take all appropriate measures to protect children from physical or mental violence. Corporal punishment directly undermines this commitment and sends the wrong message about how conflict and behaviour should be addressed.

FWCC emphasises that assault against vulnerable persons, particularly children, must never be minimised or excused. Schools must remain safe environments where children can learn and develop without fear. Parents must have confidence that their children are being protected and not subjected to harm when they are in the care of educational institutions.

There is no evidence that corporal punishment leads to better discipline or improved behaviour. Instead, it normalises violence and reinforces harmful cycles that can extend into adulthood. Using violence to settle disputes discourages dialogue and consensus, and encourages more violence.

Fiji must move towards positive, non-violent approaches to discipline. This includes counselling, teacher training and stronger collaboration between parents, teachers and communities.

FWCC calls on the Government, and all relevant ministries (including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection,and the Ministry of Justice) to ensure that existing protections for children are fully implemented and enforced. Actions that harm children must not be justified, overlooked or treated lightly. Responses from institutions, including disciplinary and judicial outcomes, must clearly reflect the seriousness of violence against children and prioritise the protection of the most vulnerable.

Children are among one of the most vulnerable members of our society. Safeguarding their rights is not optional, it is a legal and moral obligation.

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