Today as we promote National Women's HIV/AIDS Awareness day in the United States, world leaders and civil society gathered in New York to take part in the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. There, they reviewed progress made since the adoption 20 years ago of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which set ambitious targets designed to improve the lives of women around the world. The Platform for Action strives to make sure that women and girls could exercise their freedom and realize their rights to live free from violence, go to school, make decisions and have unrestricted access to quality health care, including to sexual and reproductive health-care services. This has been the most basic of goals for many women's rights advocates around the globe for decades, if not more, so this was a huge step in the right direction.
One of the largest and most tragic of victims are the children left behind. An
"'orphan" is defined by the United Nations as a child who has 'lost one
or both parents'. Worldwide, it is estimated that 25 million
children under the age of 18 have been orphaned by
AIDS. 15.1 million, or 85%, of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa. The loss of a parent to AIDS can
have serious consequences for a child’s access to basic necessities such as
shelter, food, clothing, health and education. Orphans are more likely than
non-orphans to live in large, female-headed households where more people are
dependent on fewer income earners. This lack of income puts extra pressure on
children orphaned by AIDS to contribute financially to the household, in some
cases driving them to the streets to work, beg or seek food.
The majorities of children who have
lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family
member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework,
looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parent(s). Children who have
lost one parent to AIDS may be at risk of losing the other parent as well,
since unprotected heterosexual sex is a major route of HIV transmission in
Africa.
The
loss of a parent to AIDS can have serious consequences for a child’s
access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and
education. Orphans are more likely than non-orphans to live in large,
female-headed households where more people are dependent on fewer income
earners.
11
This lack of income puts extra pressure on children orphaned by AIDS to
contribute financially to the household, in some cases driving them to
the streets to work, beg or seek food.
12
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parent(s). Children who have lost one parent to AIDS may be at risk of losing the other parent as well, since unprotected heterosexual sex is a major route of HIV transmission in Africa.
- See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parent(s). Children who have lost one parent to AIDS may be at risk of losing the other parent as well, since unprotected heterosexual sex is a major route of HIV transmission in Africa.
- See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
The
loss of a parent to AIDS can have serious consequences for a child’s
access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and
education. Orphans are more likely than non-orphans to live in large,
female-headed households where more people are dependent on fewer income
earners.
11
This lack of income puts extra pressure on children orphaned by AIDS to
contribute financially to the household, in some cases driving them to
the streets to work, beg or seek food.
12
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parent(s). Children who have lost one parent to AIDS may be at risk of losing the other parent as well, since unprotected heterosexual sex is a major route of HIV transmission in Africa.
- See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parent(s). Children who have lost one parent to AIDS may be at risk of losing the other parent as well, since unprotected heterosexual sex is a major route of HIV transmission in Africa.
- See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
Around 15.1 million, or 85 percent of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa.
2
In some countries which are badly affected by the epidemic, a large
percentage of all orphaned children - for example 74 percent in
Zimbabwe, and 63 percent in South Africa - are orphaned due to AIDS.
3 - See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
Around 15.1 million, or 85 percent of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa.
2
In some countries which are badly affected by the epidemic, a large
percentage of all orphaned children - for example 74 percent in
Zimbabwe, and 63 percent in South Africa - are orphaned due to AIDS.
3 - See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
Around 15.1 million, or 85 percent of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa.
2
In some countries which are badly affected by the epidemic, a large
percentage of all orphaned children - for example 74 percent in
Zimbabwe, and 63 percent in South Africa - are orphaned due to AIDS.
3
- See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.avert.org/children-orphaned-hiv-and-aids.htm#sthash.KyxDz6HX.dpuf
Twenty years ago with the adoption of the Declaration, world leaders recognized that gender inequality was a major barrier to women achieving the highest possible attainable standards of health, and that women had unequal opportunities to protect their health and well-being. This in turn effects family's, communities, cities, and nations. World leaders recognized fundamentally that the human rights of women include their right to assume control over matters related to their own sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. We should all be concerned that 20 years on, the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration underscores unacceptably slow progress in many areas, including the persistent denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have so much more to do and we all must take a stand and support this Declaration. This doesn't just concern "those people" who are infected with HIV or "those women". This affects everyone, every person globally. Because when women are supported, educated, and treated with equal rights their families prosper. When families prosper communities prosper. When communities prosper nations prosper.
The core principles of the Beijing Declaration are also shared by those at Tabibu Africa, and many other organizations who are committed to ending the AIDS epidemic and ending violence towards women. As the world moves towards collectively agreeing global sustainable developmental goals, we need to reaffirm the commitment that no one is left behind.
Tabibu Africa, Inc provides basic health care & screenings, education support of all ages, HIV/AIDS education, hygiene and staying healthy classes, empowerment workshops for both young & old, women and men, vocational skills training, and sanitation projects. Ensuring that women and girls are empowered to protect themselves from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and violence is key. Empowerment is crucial so that women have the right and the support to make decisions about their own health and to live free of violence, including violence related to their HIV status. We want to see HIV/AIDS and violence towards all women to continue to decline with close to elimination by 2030.
We can only do this, and participate with other organizations with the same goal, because of support from people like you!
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