Monks in Cambodia educating parents on effects of child abuse as the country cracks down on corporal punishment
There are some shocking statistics around the violence faced by children in Cambodia with more than half being severely beaten. But the country is on the brink of passing new legislation which could, among other things, ban corporal punishment. And Buddhist monks are taking a leading role in teaching parents and grandparents just how damaging abuse can be.
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00:00Not far from the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, these monks are learning some modern lessons.
00:11When people get angry with their children or grandchildren, they used to hit them physically
00:16or curse them verbally, but now we are teaching them the Dharma about non-violence.
00:22In this heavily Buddhist country, monks hold a special place in the community and a special
00:27responsibility.
00:33It's very important. Buddhist monks play a major role in our nation and society.
00:38They're part of the Pagoda Programme, which has been delivered by UNICEF and the Ministry
00:42of Cults and Religions since 2018.
00:45We have been able to mobilise over 1,500 monks in five provinces, which means more than 500
00:53pagodas, actually close to 600 pagodas, and we have reached about 8,000 people.
01:00Today, they're passing on what they've learnt to parents, grandparents and kids themselves.
01:09Children who suffer from violence, they become frightened. They don't perform well at school.
01:14They're panicked. They are not confident.
01:18My participation today helps me a lot. I will apply it to my family and society and will
01:26improve it further.
01:28The situation is still pretty dire for kids here in Cambodia. More than half have been
01:33physically assaulted and emotional and sexual abuse are also all too common. And that's
01:38not to mention child trafficking, child labour or child marriage, which are still big problems here.
01:45Advocates hope that could soon be about to change, with the country on the brink of passing
01:49its first ever child protection laws.
01:55In order to improve the lives of our children, we have to make this law to protect their
02:00four rights, namely the right to survival, the right to protection, the right to development
02:06and the right to participation.
02:08If it's put in place, it will be the first country in the whole of Asia to have such
02:13a piece of law.
02:14It's hoped the new legislation will be endorsed by the Council of Ministers by the end of
02:19the year.