Children Affected by HIV and AIDS

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a devastating impact on the well-being of children, particularly in those countries with the highest HIV prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. The virus affects children in multiple ways; they may lose one or both parents and other family members, or become infected with the disease.

Aside from the physical and psychosocial stress associated with the onset of the disease itself and the experience of loss of loved ones, children affected by HIV/AIDS may additionally be subjected to the burden of caring for others, stigma, discrimination, exploitation, abuse, financial hardships, and are less likely to attend school. The social and economic effects of the disease means that areas with high AIDS-related mortality are less able to provide traditional family and community care, protection and basic services for its children.

Children with HIV-positive parents are at a greater risk of being orphaned, abandoned, removed by social services, placed into foster or institutional care, becoming homeless, or left to head households on their own. Orphaned children infected with the virus often have more difficulty obtaining care. Families and communities have rallied to provide kinship care to the large majority of the children who have lost their parents, however families and communities are struggling to cope, physically and financially, with the numbers of children involved. Despite international recognition of the damaging effects of institutional care and its high costs, institutional care has proliferated, often supported by external groups wanting to help. Far too little has been done in such countries to systematically strengthen and support HIV/AIDS-affected families and families caring for orphans, or to develop family-and community-based care for children without adequate family care.

Children should be cared for by their immediate and extended families wherever possible, with support services put in place to avoid abandonment. Regulated kinship, foster care, and local adoption should be developed for children without close relatives. Young people and communities should be provided with information on HIV/AIDS to avoid infection. Adequate medical treatment is needed to enable infected parents to live longer and to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child.

The literature in this section includes background information on countries and projects tackling the crises, including statistics, policy papers, implementation projects, and care options for children orphaned or infected by HIV/AIDS.

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Safety Nets for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa

Geoff Foster, 2004

Discusses the interplay between informal and formal safety net mechanisms in supporting orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Includes recommendations for strengthening traditional family and community safety nets weakened by the epidemic.

Child Protection: A Handbook for Parliamentarians

Dan O'Donnell and Dan Seymour, 2004

A handbook that includes examples of the many ways in which Parliaments and their members around the world have responded to the challenges of child protection through laws, policies, advocacy and other means. It also describes how Parliaments and their members can gain a clearer understanding of what their contribution can be, and equips them with the knowledge and tools they require to make that contribution.

Linking Safety Nets, Social Protection, and Poverty Reduction: Directions for Africa

Michelle Adato, Akhter Ahmed, and Francie Lund, 2004

A short discussion of various safety net program options and considerations for effective program design. Focus on reducing poverty in sub-Saharan Africa

Orphans in Africa: Parental Death, Poverty and School Enrollment

Anne Case, Christina Paxson, and Joseph Ableidinger, 31 Dec 2003

Research on the incidence, living arrangements, and causes of lower school enrollment of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa's Orphaned Generations

UNICEF, 01 Nov 2003

This paper reports on the life circumstances of today’s orphaned children in Africa with new data and fresh analyses. The report presents a strategy for ensuring that all of Africa’s orphaned children have a safe, healthy and well-educated childhood, establishing the foundation for a productive adult life and for their countries’ overall development. Therefore, this paper encourages hope in the face of an epic disaster as it offers the possibility of change for those already orphaned and for the generation to come.

Foster Care and Schooling in West Africa: The State of Knowledge

Marc Pilon, 2003

Explores the relationship between fostering and education in West Africa. Identifies special need to focus on protecting and educating young girls.

A Last Resort: A Growing Concern About Children in Residential Care

Andrew Dunn, Elizabeth Jareg, and Douglas Webb, 2003

This paper outlines the International Save the Children Alliance’s position on residential care. It addresses the proliferation of residential care, its negative impact on children and the need for international attention. The paper presents the work of Save the Children and other agencies in order to highlight relevent issues and to provide a guide for those working with separated children.

Forgotten Families: Older People as Carers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Amleset Tewodros, 2003

A brief policy report which highlights issues faced by older caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. Outlines NGO responses, challenges and recommendations for programmatic support of older caregivers. Includes statistical data on ageing, HIV/AIDS and kinship care in Africa.

Survey of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Rwanda and Zambia

N/A, 2003

A sample survey designed to be used in interviewing parents and guardians of children ages six to twelve years old. The questions assess household financial security, socio-demographic and community characteristics, psychosocial intervention exposure, income generation intervention exposure, health status, HIV/AIDS prevention exposure, legal rights, and coping skills. Includes sample consent form.

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Speak for the Child: Case Study: Kenya

Diane Lusk, Jael Mararu, Chloe O'Gara, and Sarah Dastur, 2003

A case study of a pilot project in western Kenya focused on community-based orphan care and support. Includes a description of the project activities, including community mobilization and needs assessment, as well as lessons learned and suggestions for improvement.