Submitted by crinadmin on
[LONDON, 1st August 2006] - Millions of children throughout the world do not have the means to protect themselves against the spread of HIV infection, according to a new report from international children’s organisation, Plan. The 50 page report, “Circle of Hope”, highlights how despite knowing the risks and how to protect themselves, many young people simply cannot choose safe sexual behaviour because of economic, social, and cultural pressures. The report highlights the situation in the West African Republic of Benin, where girls are frequently harassed on their way to, from, and even in school by predatory males. The girls are often pressured into having unprotected sex. Many more are so desperate and hungry that they are forced to sell sex to older men for as little as the price of a meal a day. "When the only choice you have is the chance you might catch AIDS and die in a few years time, or the certainty of starving to death in a few weeks, there is no choice.” said Plan’s Chief Executive Tom Miller. The report goes on to say that tradition, gender inequality, and social relationships severely limit the choices young people can make. “There are millions of sexually exploited children throughout the world; girls whose older husbands are infected, or boys who are under intense social pressure to practice unsafe sexual behaviour. If you are not able to practice safe behaviour or ignore the risks, it doesn’t matter how much knowledge of HIV infection you have.” Miller added. Plan argues that children understand the barriers to safe behaviour, and are in a position to bring about changes that can be sustained well into the future and says young people are much more likely than older age-groups to accept and adopt social change. Childhood is the time when attitudes are formed and behavioural patterns established. For these reasons, the report contends, it is vital for children and young people to play a central role in leading the response in their communities. “Children and adolescents know how best to communicate the message to their own generation and to take the steps to ensure that they have the means to protect themselves. That’s why we believe children should be in the driver’s seat of HIV and AIDS prevention projects.” Plan’s CEO added. With operations in more than sixty countries throughout the world, Plan has developed scores of highly effective AIDS prevention projects with young people at their centre. Further information
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/Plan_HIV_AIDS_report_2006.pdf