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Calls for support of children's rights, health and welfare
Judith King. ChildrenFIRST Journal, Oct/Nov 2002, Vol 6 No. 45
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In recognition of 6 November being International Children's Day, we have republished, with kind permission, three items featured in the October/November 2002 edition of ChildrenFIRST Journal (Vol 6 No. 45), with a specific focus on children and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The first is a review by Noreen Ramsden of the new book co-edited by Jeff Gow and Chris Desmond: Impacts and Interventions - The HIV/AIDS Epidemic and the Children of South Africa. According to Desmond, the collation of the various contributions from specialists across different sectors and disciplines is intended to highlight the burdens borne, not only by children who are or will be infected by HIV, but also by HIV-negative orphans, who face a life of abject suffering. "This epidemic affects ALL children and every one of us," he says.
The second item is a brief update on the drive by the CINDI (Children in Distress Network) CHIP (Child Intervention Panel) for the protection of the rights of sexually abused children. Chairperson Julie Todd reports on some positive developments in their lobby for greater efficiency on the part of local Health Department officials.
The third article is an explanation by Heli Guy, Children First's Monitoring and Advocacy Co-ordinator, as to how the public can help to prevent new HIV infections in children by supporting Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Monitoring Groups. These Monitoring Groups will collect information from relevant persons at healthcare facilities regarding PMTCT programmes, and from women who have experienced problems with access to voluntary counselling and testing at clinics and hospitals. The Groups will also provide support to network members and healthcare professionals.
Our children need us to reinstate the essential elements of childhood: innocence, joy, health, creativity, protection and trust. We should all get involved in supporting the people and organisations working to achieve this. For more information about child-centred research, care and support, trawl our database for contacts and find a way to make a difference!
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