“ Care for us and accept us – we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just live everyone else – don’t be afraid of us – we are all the same!” - An Aids Patient

News Flash : Facts you should Know. Exclusive | Aids Out Life In | Children – Infected & Affected | NEWS 11 19:25 Germany V/S Spain 1-1 Half Time Every minute five people around the world between the ages of 10 and 24 are infected with HIV. There are 2.5 million children under the age of 15 living with the disease worldwide. Of the 3 million who died of AIDS in 2003, 500,000 were children. The total number of children orphaned by AIDS – 13.2 million as of 2006 – is expected to more than double by 2010. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of new infections occurs among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

"Helping kids understand about AIDS is the most important thing I do. Some kids like to pretend that it's not happening in the world. By letting them know what's really going on, I might save someone's life.“ Hydeia L. Broadbent AIDS patient and activist.

educate HIV : the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a retrovirus that attacks the cells of the immune system. HIV is transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids. (e.g. exposure to infected blood, during sexual activity with an infected individual, by sharing needles). It can also pass from an infected mother to her child. HIV is the virus that eventually causes AIDS .

AIDS : an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome diagnosis is made when symptoms that indicate the disease (primarily a decrease in the number of immune system cells in a person’s bloodstream) are identified by a doctor in a HIV-positive person . educate

CRC: the Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international treaty that recognizes the human rights of the children, defined as persons up to the age of 18 years. It ensure the rights to survival, development, protection and participation of all children without discrimination. educate

educate CSEC “[Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children] comprises sexual abuse by the adult and remuneration in cash or kind to the child or a third person or persons. The child is treated as a sexual object and as a commercial object.” (World Conference Against CSEC)

CSEC “[Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children] comprises sexual abuse by the adult and remuneration in cash or kind to the child or a third person or persons. The child is treated as a sexual object and as a commercial object.”

(World Conference Against CSEC)

North America 10000 Caribbean 20000 Latin America 45000 Western Europe 5000 North America & Middle East 40000 Africa 2.8 Million Eastern Europe 12000 Central Asia 20000 East Asia 4500 Pacific 3000 South East Asia 240000 Aus&NZ 3000 Children (<15 Years) estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS as of end of 2002

Why do Children have HIV/Aids Most children under 15 who have HIV/AIDS are infected through their infected mothers – that is, through mother child transmission...this occurs during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding after birth. Sexual activity (the main route of disease transmission) starts in adolescence for most people worldwide. Young people who are uninformed about HIV/AIDS transmission risk becoming infected. Poverty, lack of education, lack of medical resources, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children also help spread HIV/AIDS among children worldwide.

But …

Adolescent girls and young women are at a disproportionately high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Girls are physiologically more vulnerable to infection. Gender-based inequities mean “girls and women are more likely to be poor and powerless,” hence are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and HIV/AIDS infection. Violence against girls in the form of forced or coerced sex, or CSEC also increase their chances of becoming infected.

How are Children affected?

Children with HIV/AIDS have weaker immune systems and are more susceptible to other illnesses. Children with HIV/AIDS may be stigmatized and/ or rejected from their families and communities. … this discrimination fosters ignorance about HIV/AIDS and stigma against testing for, treating the disease. This in turn makes it difficult to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Children are orphaned when their parents die from HIV/AIDS. How are Children affected?

NGOs and governments are working together to educate the public about HIV/AIDS and to direct individuals to clinics that offer free HIV testing. Researchers continue their efforts to find better treatments to help those with AIDS – and ultimately, a cure Some governments have increased funding and adopted legislation that help children with AIDS.

What can we do?

Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS. Contact local, state, and national politicians for support for HIV/AIDS. Write letters asking for their opinion on HIV/AIDS. Talk to your parents about HIV/AIDS. Educate the adults in your life! Advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness! Begin a social awareness/human rights club. Be Safe! This could be your Child.

For more Information AIDS.org www.aids.org Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families www.aids-alliance.org Population Services International www.youthaids.org UNAIDS www.unaids.org UNICEF www.unicef.org/aids Youth Advocate Program International www.yapi.org

Abhishek Shah abhishekshah@rediffmail.com Thank You!