Children’s Day; a day for children to engage in fun and frolic in India on November 14. We can see children with their respective parents filled with smile and laughter all around the shopping centers and everywhere, but do we remember there is something we need to do behind us who needs our love, compassion, sympathy etc… who are innocent and humble as we all have experienced; for children doesn’t know what is right or wrong, the good and the bad, but they have been compelled to live a life challenging all that they face ahead.The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a disaster for children, violating their rights and preventing them from having their needs met. HIV/AIDS touches on nearly every aspect of a child's life. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a holistic set of standards for children and young people. The Convention provides the principles and framework for working with children and young people, including privacy, confidentiality, the role of the family, health and development. In particular, the Convention highlights the right of the child to participate, suggesting that participation brings benefits for children and young people themselves and also the programs which encourage them to participate.
The right to life and health care
Children have the human rights of life and health care. Children’s lives are increasingly at risk through decreased health care provision and inadequate nutrition as well as HIV infections either from their own mothers, from abuse or early sexual activity. Drug Therapies the drug AZT or Nevirapine when given to pregnant women reduces the chances of the virus being passed onto the baby by about one half. Care of sick children: It is important that a child who is sick is taken to the clinic as soon as possible and given the necessary treatment. HIV/AIDS children are more susceptible to diseases such as TB, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, and these can cause severe illness and death. Children who are HIV positive need immediate medical attention even for small complaints, to help keep them well as long as possible.
The right to education
· Children affected by HIV/AIDS are more likely to drop out of school as there is not enough money to pay for school fees, uniforms and books. Also the demands to help at home and care for sick parents will compete with educational needs.
· Schools have direct contact with the child and family on a daily basis and they could take a leading role in the crisis. The role of educators and the education institution may have to change in order for them to help with the custody and the care of children infected and affected by HIV.
· There is no official policy and no assistance to help pre-schools and places of care to provide resources in their communities for basic needs and care for young children.
· The information and skills imparted in many of the life skills programmes have little value unless attitudes among the learners are addressed concerning HIV and the children needs for a better future.
The rights of children with special needs
Children whose parents have died from AIDS are in greater need of help than local children because of their isolation from their extended families and own communities. Agencies should cooperate with international agencies to reunite children separated from their families if they are orphaned. Children affected by HIV/AIDS are doubly discriminated against and resources to meet their needs are being further depleted and no other provisions are being made.
The right to play and recreation
Every child has a right to play, be involved in recreational activities and to participate in cultural and artistic life. This vital component of their total development is being compromised by the HIV/AIDS crisis in two ways.
· Leisure-time reduced: the burden of care and responsibility born by children and young people will reduce the time and energy they have for recreation.
· Strained resources: as the economic burden of HIV/AIDS increases so the resources for non-essential items will be reduced, at all levels from the family budget to national finances.
The right to be protected from Abuse and Neglect
Children have the right to be protected from abuse and neglect. This protection is largely absent. The more the HIV/AIDS virus spreads in adults, the more vulnerable children are to sexual exploitation. Rapists, abusers and users of prostitutes target younger persons and children as there is the less likelihood of them being already infected. Older victims are able occasionally to persuade the attacker to wear a condom, but young children are both ignorant and powerless.
The child's right to participation, opinions and beliefs
In order for children to develop skills in decision-making, leadership and other important social skills they must practice these in a meaningful way. This practice can only come through their participation in important areas of their lives. Only children and young people themselves can tell us what it means for them to live in a world with AIDS. Hearing what children and young people have to say often gives adults new insights into their wishes and needs and provides relevant information about activities and plans that can be undertaken to change policies to give them more protection, care and understanding. There are ethical issues that must be considered when working with children and young people affected by AIDS, such as their right to privacy and confidentiality. Children's rights to confidentiality and freedom from discrimination must always be acknowledged. Breaking this code of ethics can lead to rejection, isolation and discrimination. Children must be allowed to feel safe with their own peers and the adults they are involved with and not feel threatened, frightened and used.
Building self-esteem and developing skills
By participating, children and young people have the opportunity to develop skills and confidence in areas which will benefit them and their communities. Through participation, children and young people learn about co-operation, mutual understanding and social responsibility. They may become better informed and equipped with new skills in communication and in thinking which will prepare them for adult life. When children and young people are better informed they are more able and likely to make decisions about their life for themselves. By meeting other youth in similar situations, they can give each other emotional support and realise that they are not alone.
The Right Not to Suffer Discrimination
Children, who are diagnosed HIV positive and/or live in an HIV positive household, are vulnerable to discrimination and rejection. Rejection may come from relatives, crèches and schools. Foster or adoptive parents may be particularly difficult to find for HIV positive orphans or those children who are in need special care.
The obligation of everyone is to assist the child in establishing an identity and to ensure that the child receives all the rights that are his/her entitlement.
There are some organisation and programs that i know of supporting CLHIVs in Nagaland; to name a few, the Promoting Access to Care and Treatment Program of the Population Foundation of India (PFI) Nagaland through District Level Positive Networks and the Nagaland Women Voluntary Association, Kohima through NNP+ and DLNs. There is also a need on paediatric counsellors or workers in districts where CLHIVs are likely to increase and need proper access to care and treatment.
The question we need to ask is what are we doing about this catastrophe? The voices of children themselves are not often heard. How we can recommend for the quality of life of children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and support them with love, compassion, care and contributes for a better future for those innocent ones. The decision and contributions lies within us in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
(Lithsa)
Kiphire : Nagaland
(lithsa@rediffmail.com)