[Press Kit]

32

to ensure that the rights of such children are respected, that their
living situations are secure and that
health and education services are
available to them.
Governments have an obligation to
review and reform laws and policies
dealing with children and women,
especially the most vulnerable. This
is crucial in the case of AIDS, where
deaths in the family commonly
leave orphans and widows at risk of
losing their inheritance and property
rights - often their major sources of
income and food. Laws may exist

Governments should take
strategic action to develop
alternative education
programmes. Children drink
water from a handpump
in a non-formal community
school in Zambia.

to protect children and women, but
these sometimes marginalized members of society may be unaware of
the laws or have no channel to take
advantage of them, making strong
advocacy in this area essential.
Governments also need to monitor
the impact of HIV/AIDS on children
and families, to plan interventions
and determine their effectiveness.
Accurate information on the numbers
of children orphaned, where they are,
the circumstances of their lives and
the nature of their needs is vital. As an
advocacy tool, such information can
also help raise awareness about the
social impact of AIDS and promote
realization of children's rights.
5. Build the capacity of children
to realize their rights and fulfil
their needs

It is essential to address the emotional
needs of children devastated by their
parents' deaths from AIDS. Commonly,
children orphaned by AIDS not only