HANDS ARE NOT FOR BEATING

By Onnik Krikorian /UNICEF Armenia

YEREVAN, Armenia – Mane Tonoyan might seem a little too young to concern
herself with the problem of violence against children in Armenia but
this 16-year old is somehow “different.” A member of the Manana
Youth-Cultural non-governmental organization, she has already made a
one-minute-film on the subject and at the beginning of July, was one of
25 child participants at the regional consultation for the UN Study on
Violence Against Children in Europe and Central Asia.

The consultation held from 5-7 July 2005 was hosted in Ljubljana, the
Slovenian capital, and organized by UNICEF as well as other UN agencies.
It was one of nine such consultations that will eventually contribute to
a major study of the problem by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan next
year. Accompanying Mane was Naira Avetisyan, UNICEF’s Child Protection
Officer in Armenia, and three representatives of various government
agencies.

“We were asked to find someone familiar with child rights and
experienced with making films and writing articles,” says Avetisyan.
“That is why we chose Mane. Taking into account that Manana is
experienced in producing materials to distribute among peers we thought
it best to select a child from this organization. We will also be
holding a round table in Armenia at the end of July.”

Certainly, Mane seems to have benefited greatly from the consultation.

“Before going to Ljubljana, I was concerned about violence against
children although I wasn’t as well informed as I am now,” she says. “In
particular, I learned more about the consequences that violence can have
on children. For example, even a slap on the face can emotionally damage
a child. Before the consultation, I don’t think that I would have ever
considered it as violence.”

According to Mane, almost all children in Armenia are subjected to
violence in some shape or form. In particular, she says, it is
particular evident in schools and institutions – something that others
attending the consultation also concluded. Unfortunately, she says, when
violence becomes “acceptable” in the classroom it can then also manifest
itself in the form of bullying.

“In Armenia, there is very little awareness of this problem,” explains
Mane. `But violence exists – in the family, in schools and particularly
in institutions. Beating is considered an acceptable way of disciplining
children. However, it’s terrible if a teacher hits a child in front of
others. It’s humiliating and can have a serious impact on their self-esteem.

I want to raise awareness of this problem among other children but also
parents and teachers. First of all, however, it is necessary to raise
awareness among the public at large.”

“Of course,” concludes Mane, “parents have the right to discipline their
children when it is necessary and it is important that nobody attempts
to challenge their authority. However, I would like to remind parents
that they were children once and their actions now might have an impact
on how future generations are also raised. Violence is not the way to
bring up children.”

For more information:

Emil Sahakyan, Communication Officer, Armenia
Tel: (374 10) 523-546, 566-497
E-Mail: esahakyan@unicef.org

—