From the individual to the system : the coming of age of programmes for orphans and vulnerable children
Document type: article
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Abstract:
This issue of Exchange magazine mainly focuses on programmes that strengthen the livelihoods of children affected or infected by HIV. The first article describes the development from exclusive attention being paid to ‘AIDS orphans’, now considered a highly stigmatizing term, to a focus on all vulnerable children living in societies highly affected by HIV and AIDS. The impacts of HIV and AIDS on children continue to evolve and the incidence of AIDS-related orphaning and its associated vulnerabilities have not yet stabilized. In sub-Saharan Africa, the most highly affected region in the world, the number of orphans from all causes is likely to top 50 million within the coming few years. Highly affected communities in southern Africa especially are seeing between one third and one half of their children losing one or both parents. The dynamism inherent in the HIV epidemic fuels an associated rapid evolution of the policy and programme responses aimed at curbing the impacts of AIDS on communities, families and children. The over-arching policy response has broadened dramatically in its scope in the last sixteen years, since the first UNICEF-hosted meeting on ‘AIDS and orphans’ in Italy in 1991. This article will outline this evolution, which resulted in the drive for systemic responses addressing all vulnerable children in AIDS-affected societies, and the need to better address the non-material aspects of the impacts of AIDS on families.
Authors:
Webb, D.
Category:
Policy
End Page:
4
Serial number:
2
ISSN:
[1871-7551]
Journal:
Exchange on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and gender
Keywords:
HIV and AIDS
,
children
,
policy
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Year:
2007
Region:
Africa South of Sahara
Right:
© 2007 KIT
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Start Page:
1
Title:
From the individual to the system : the coming of age of programmes for orphans and vulnerable children