Corporal Punishment and the African Children’s Charter. An advocacy paper

The investigation to determine whether corporal punishment is allowed in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) relies on the interpretation of relevant provisions within the Charter. This advocacy paper departs from the point that a child rights-based understanding of these provisions depends on an interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Charter in a holistic manner, which is compliant with international treaty law, treats the Charter as a living document, and also takes into account the intent and purpose of the drafters. This advocacy paper attempts to offer this rights-based interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Charter pertaining to corporal punishment