HIV/AIDS: what about very young children?

Including very young children in programming and policy responses in HIV and AIDS affected communities

By: Dunn A
Published by: Bernard van Leer Foundation , 2005
Via: Eldis

This paper responds to the fact that young children impacted by HIV and AIDS often seem to be almost invisible in the wider HIV and AIDS field. With a few notable exceptions, if they are mentioned at all, it is as minor footnotes in the general discourse on children and HIV and AIDS. The aim of the research which this paper presents was to review the literature and identify current responses taking place to meet the needs of very young children (age 0–8) in HIV and AIDS-affected communities.

The overall results show that at local, national and international levels, there are gaps in programming and policy to engage ideas and mobilise resources to address the needs and experiences of very young children infected/affected by HIV and AIDS. The question is then raised: What can we actually do to include very young children in programming and policy responses in HIV and AIDS affected communities? The paper makes recommendations which focus on meeting the needs of very young children.