Human rights day is observed every year on 10 December. This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights!

As The Regional Inter-Agency Task Team on children and AIDS (RIATT-ESA) we are standing up for the rights of children living with HIV in eastern and southern Africa. 88% of the world’s HIV-positive children are living in Sub-Saharan Africa (0–14 years). Children living with HIV are more vulnerable to abuse, violence, discrimination and death. Since the year 2000, adolescents AIDS-related deaths have tripled in eastern and southern Africa.

Children living with HIV often struggle to start and adhere to treatment, often due to many risk factors, including: high transport costs, food insecurity, disrupted family structures, non-disclosure, mental health issues and stigma and discrimination.

All children regardless of their gender, race, culture, religion, health and abilities have the right to:

• Be treated fairly without discrimination,
• Have access to health care and information on their wellbeing
• Have access for nutrition food, clean water, and a safe environment
• Be cared for and protected from all forms of violence
• Have access to education
• Be listened to and have their opinions respected
• Have access to social protection
• Have time to relax and play
• And have access to psychosocial support.

It starts with us, take a stand for the rights of children living with HIV!

References:

Resourcing Resilience: The Case of Social Protection for HIV-Positive Children on Antiretroviral Treatment in Eastern and Southern Africa

UNICEF FACT SHEET: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Chil