CHILDREN AND HIV/AIDS: Lesson for Life 2005 Update

At the end of 2004, 2.2 million children under the age of 15 were living with HIV. In the first half of 2005 alone, 410,000 of those children had already died. Every minute a child dies because of AIDS. Every 15 seconds a young person between the ages of 15 and 24 is infected with HIV. Less than 5 per cent of HIV-positive children have access to any kind of treatment.

Because there is no cure for AIDS, prevention is essential. Millions of young people know too little about HIV to protect themselves. Surveys in sub-Saharan Africa have found that only 21 per cent of young women and 30 per cent of young men know the basics about how to avoid infection.

In 2004, 4.3 million people from 67 countries around the world took part in the Lesson for Life. In 2005 the Lesson for Life is set to reach even more children and young people. Over 10 million children are now estimated to be taking part in the Lesson for Life on World AIDS Day (1 December) this year, in 60 countries around the world.

The Vice-President of Ghana launched the month-long Lesson for Life campaign recently, which will culminate in a 'national durbar' on 1 December. Mercy, a young child, spoke at the event, saying 'Children are affected, mothers are affected, fathers are affected. It is time to keep the promise to take care of us, the promise to protect us. Let's keep the promise to give free treatment to children'.

In Zambia, children living with HIV/AIDS have been visiting the health and education ministers to demand free access to healthcare for everyone. These children will speak at an event in Lusaka attended by the Minister for Children and Sport on 1 December, demanding better access to medicines for children affected.

In Kosovo, children from 'peace clubs' across the country will take part in the Lesson for Life. Health department representatives will be on hand at each event to answer questions from children involved.
In Ecuador, an exhibition on children and HIV/AIDS will be launched on the same day as the Lesson for Life, which will then travel to 19 towns around the country. A debate will be held on access to treatment for HIV/AIDS, in the capital, Quito.

Over 300 secondary schools in the UK will be taking part in the Lesson for Life. A survey of children's knowledge of HIV will be published and a launch will be held at a school in London.

For more information, contact:
Kate Norgrove, Global Movement for Children
c/o Save the Children, 1 St John's Lane, London, EC1M 4AR, UK
Tel: + 44 207 012 6860
Email: hivaids@gmfc.org
Website: http://www.gmfc.org/hivaids

Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=6314

To contact country coordinators and find out how to participate, visit: http://www.gmfc.org/index.php/gmc6/content/view/full/642

Ms. Ma. Alexis Rodrigo
Senior Communication Assistant
UNICEF Manila
Philippines
Telephone: (632) 901-0173
Fax: (632) 901-0195
Cellphone: +63917-8589447

For Every Child
Health, Education, Equality, Protection
ADVANCE HUMANITY
http://www.unicef.org/philippines