UNITE FOR CHILDREN

Children and HIV and AIDS

Introduction

© UNICEF/NYHQ2009-0716/Christine Nesbitt
Maureen Sakala learned that she was HIV-positive while pregnant with her newborn, Christopher. She participates in a PMTCT programme which provides medications to both her and Christopher, and will first test him for HIV when he is six weeks old.

Over twenty-five years into the AIDS epidemic, the children in its path remain at grave risk. In 2007, over two million children under 15 years of age were estimated to be living with HIV and 370,000 children became newly infected. Millions of children live in communities heavily burdened with disease, where it is not uncommon for a child to have lost a parent, both parents, or caregivers to AIDS. Without proper support, many of these children may experience poverty, school drop-out, indignities or early death.

Recognizing this, UNICEF has placed HIV at the heart of its response for children. The Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign, launched in 2005, first drew the world’s attention to children, the missing face of AIDS. The Campaign, in line with UNICEF's priorities, works to meet Millennium Development Goal 6. The annually released "Stocktaking Report" takes ana hard look at global progress in prevention, testing, treatment and support for children affected by HIV or AIDS and their parents. 'Children and AIDS: Third Stocktaking Report' is now available.

The four "P"s guide UNICEF's response for children: (1) Preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV; (2) Providing paediatric treatment; (3) Preventing infection among adolescents and young people; and (4) Protecting and supporting children affected by AIDS.

UNICEF also provides support to healthcare delivery systems in resource-constrained areas and the management of HIV supplies needed by children and their parents.


 

 

 

Improving the response for children affected by AIDS

For information on the newly signed Joint Statement on Child-Sensitive Social Protection, click here.

JLICA Report on Children and HIV/AIDS released

The final report of the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and HIV/AIDS (JLICA) shares findings on an improved response for children affected by AIDS. Read more.

AIDS campaign

UNICEF Podcasts - HIV and AIDS

Former Public Radio International Correspondent Amy Costello interviews experts on Early Infant Diagnosis and Supporting Mothers living with HIV.

The spirit of cricket

Headlines from around the web

The following news stories about HIV/AIDS are from non-UNICEF websites, and open in a new window. See more headlines.

Out Detroit official raises concerns about HIV/AIDS
SmartBrief

Feedback Reports (clinical, translational) from the 11th International Workshop on Adverse Drug reactions and Co-morbidities in HIV reported at EACS 2009 Cologne
National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project

AIDS, Malaria Eclipse the Biggest Child-Killers
Ahip Hi-Wire

New enhanced search