Shocking UNICEF report: 400 million children under five face violence at home

Nearly 400 million children under the age of five experience violent physical or psychological discipline at home, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates announced on Monday (June 10).

Around 60 per cent of all kids under five years of age around the world are subjectto violent discipline at home, it says.

This new estimate draws from data collected between 2010 and 2023 across 100 countries, covering both "physical punishment" and "psychological aggression."

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Psychological and physical abuse

UNICEF defines psychological abuse to include actions such as screaming at a child or calling them derogatory names like stupid or lazy. Physical abuse can include actions like shaking, hittingor spanking a child, intended to cause pain or discomfort without resulting in injury.

Of the nearly 400 million children affected by harsh discipline at home, around 330 million experience physical punishment.

AFP reports that despite increasing bans on corporal punishment worldwide, nearly 500 million children under five remain unprotected by law against such practices. According to UNICEF, over one in four mothers or adults responsible for kids believe physical punishment is necessary to properly educate their children.

"When children are subjected to physical or verbal abuse at home, or when they are deprived of social and emotional care from their loved ones, it can undermine their sense of self-worth and development," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

She emphasised that "nurturing and playful parenting can bring joy and also help children feel safe, learn, build skills, and navigate the world around them."

Marking the first-such report, on International Day of Play on June 11, UNICEF also published findings on children's access to play.

Data from 85 countries revealed that one in two children at age four cannot play with their caregiver at home, and about one in eight children under five do not have toys entirely.

It is estimated that 40 per cent of children aged two to four do not receive adequate stimulation or meaningful interaction at home. Moreover, one in ten lackaccess to activities crucial for cognitive, social, and emotional development, such as reading, storytelling, singingand drawing.

"On the first International Day of Play, we must unite and recommit to ending violence against children and promoting positive, nurturing, and playful caregiving," Russell urged.

(With inputs from agencies)