Join our Fight Against AIDS
World AIDS Day
On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNAIDS are pleased to report that increased access to HIV services has resulted in a 15% reduction of new infections over the past decade and a 22% decline in AIDS-related deaths in the last five years.
But there are still many women and children who must be reached with investment and innovation if we are to reach our goal of an AIDS-free generation by 2015.
Follow the story of Mirriam Chongo and her son Peter
Mirriam Chongo and her baby Peter live in Zambia, where investment in HIV testing, care and prevention has made great progress.
Theirs is the story of PMTCT, prevention of mother to child transmission, the most promising path to an AIDS-free generation.
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| Click here to see the photo essay about how Mirriam protects her baby from HIV infection. |
Breaking the Cycle
The AIDS epidemic began over 25 years ago, and the disease continues to prey upon millions of children around the world. Over 2.1 million children are HIV–positive, with more than 400,000 children becoming newly infected with HIV / AIDS each year.
This disease affects non–infected children as well—many are left orphaned or grow up in communities overwhelmed by the disease. To protect children from the devastation of AIDS, UNICEF focuses on the "4 P's:"
- Prevention of mother–to–child transmission through testing and treatment of pregnant women;
- Providing pediatric HIV/AIDS treatment;
- Preventing infection among young people; and
- Protecting and supporting children affected by HIV/AIDS.
UNICEF–supported programs provide care and education for millions of HIV–positive children, as well as those who are orphaned by the disease and those who are living with infected caregivers. UNICEF programs also teach adolescents and young adults about HIV prevention and educate communities about the harmful stigmas surrounding the disease. These stigmas, and the discrimination they produce, remain a considerable barrier to testing, treatment and prevention.
Related HIV / AIDS Links
January 22, 2012
In HIV/AIDs ravaged Lesotho, building a national social safety net for children
With a population of just 2 million Lesotho, has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world. With 13% of the country’s children been orphaned by the disease the social protection program is central to building a national social safety net for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The program aims to provide support for children’s physical as well as emotional needs, delivering concrete assistance, like child grants in cash, regular visits from social workers as well as increased access to health and education services.
January 9, 2012
Two years after Haiti earthquake - victories for children but challenges remain
UNICEF has helped more than 750,000 children return to school. Some 80,000 of them are now attending classes in 193 safe, earthquake-resistant schools constructed by the organization, and more than 120,000 children enjoy structured play in 520 child-friendly spaces. More than 15,000 malnourished children have received life-saving care in 314 therapeutic feeding programs supported by UNICEF.
December 15, 2011
UNICEF at 65: Looking back, thinking ahead
On December, 11 UNICEF celebrated its 65th anniversary. Created in 1946 from the residual resources from the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration to secure the fate of Europe’s children, few then imagined that it would still be in existence today. Principles of equity were part of UNICEF's guiding vision from the very day of its creation and form part of its mission statement.
