Zimbabwe's first lady has called on parents to physically discipline their children, arguing that prohibitions against corporal punishment have contributed to rising teenage pregnancies, substance abuse and juvenile crime.
Auxillia Mnangagwa made the remarks on Monday during her cultural program at Mawungwa Secondary School in Gutu South, where she addressed hundreds of women and students. She recommended striking children on their legs to minimize injury risks. The first lady criticized what she described as excessive protections for minors, contrasting current conditions with her own upbringing when physical discipline produced better behavior. She warned that young people may falsely accuse parents of serious offenses if punished, but insisted families must maintain control. Her position aligns with statements from Education Minister Torerai Moyo and High Court Judge Joseph Mafusire, who have questioned the ban.
Courts eliminated legal authorization for corporal punishment through rulings in 2015 and 2017 that found relevant education statutes violated constitutional protections. During the cultural event, which separated participants by gender for instruction from traditional leaders and clergy, Mnangagwa also encouraged households to assign all types of chores to boys and girls equally, saying cross-training builds mutual respect between genders.
Auxillia Mnangagwa made the remarks on Monday during her cultural program at Mawungwa Secondary School in Gutu South, where she addressed hundreds of women and students. She recommended striking children on their legs to minimize injury risks. The first lady criticized what she described as excessive protections for minors, contrasting current conditions with her own upbringing when physical discipline produced better behavior. She warned that young people may falsely accuse parents of serious offenses if punished, but insisted families must maintain control. Her position aligns with statements from Education Minister Torerai Moyo and High Court Judge Joseph Mafusire, who have questioned the ban.
Courts eliminated legal authorization for corporal punishment through rulings in 2015 and 2017 that found relevant education statutes violated constitutional protections. During the cultural event, which separated participants by gender for instruction from traditional leaders and clergy, Mnangagwa also encouraged households to assign all types of chores to boys and girls equally, saying cross-training builds mutual respect between genders.
