In an effort to change perspectives and practices on disciplining, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with an international child group advocate to train caregivers and social workers on Positive Discipline.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman (2nd from left) and Ms. Anna Lindenforns (center), country director of Save the Children International (SCI) inked the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to implement the partnership.

The agreement specifies the integration of SCI’s Positive Discipline framework into the DSWD training modules on parenting, capability building of trainers, staff and partners,  as well as in developing guidelines for its residential care centers.

Secretary Soliman emphasized that this partnership aims to bring together children, parents and caregivers on the issue of child protection.  “We would like to ensure that all DSWD training modules on parenting incorporate the value of positive discipline and all staff in our residential care centers are trained to effectively implement the program.” Secretary Soliman said.

Several studies have shown that children who go through corporal punishment as a form of discipline experienced adverse effects as adults.  Corporal punishment also perpetuates a cycle of abuse wherein parents also inflict physical and emotional pain on their children in the guise of discipline.

Also present during the signing were (from left) DSWD Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji, Ms. Wilma T. Banaga, child protection adviser of SCI, and DSWD Director Particia B. Luna. ###