Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Izaura’s Transformation through Positive Parenting

Pebane, Zambezia - What happened to Izaura is something many parents can relate to. At 38 years old, and a mother of seven, Izaura lives in the Pebane district in Zambézia province. Before taking part in positive parenting sessions, her relationship with her children, particularly the teenagers, was marked by tension and frequent conflict.

“They did not listen to me,” Izaura recalls. “When I asked them to do household chores, they would say, ‘Mama, stop bothering us,’ and walk away. I used to punish them. I would refuse to give them food, and I would beat them. We were always arguing.”

Things began to change soon after she started attending the positive parenting sessions. “I sat down with my children and shared what we discussed in the sessions,” she explains. “I told them that children are at the center of what we were learning. I explained that parents must respect the rights of their children, just as children should respect their parents.”

Through the sessions, Izaura learned that violence and withholding food harm children’s development. She was encouraged to adopt non-violent ways of disciplining and caring for her children. “So, I stopped. I really stopped beating and punishing my children,” she says. “The way I treat them has changed. Now they do their chores willingly, and I do not even need to raise my voice. The atmosphere at home has improved a lot.”

Her experience has motivated her to share what she has learned with others. “I enjoyed the positive parenting sessions so much that if I am invited again, I will go running,” she says, smiling. “Now I feel responsible for talking to other parents and explaining that they must not mistreat their children. If they do, they will harm their future. Taking good care of children means building a better future for them. I have learned that receiving guidance is a good thing.”

The positive parenting sessions are implemented by the International Child Development Programme in partnership with UNICEF, with support from the Global Programme to End Child Marriage. The initiative aims to prevent and respond to child marriage by promoting non-violent, nurturing relationships between parents and children, and by empowering families to create safer, more supportive environments for girls and boys.

The Global Programme to End Child Marriage is generously supported by the Governments of Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Zonta International.