Study on Child headed households

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Greetings from India HIV/AIDS Alliance !

The India HIV/AIDS Alliance (New Delhi) in collaboration with the TATA Institute

of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai conducted the study entitled, “A situational

analysis of child headed households and community foster care in Tamil Nadu and

Andhra Pradesh”. The study was conceptualised to develop greater insights into

the problems, needs and challenges of children heading households and children

in community foster care.

This study was undertaken in the intervention sites of India HIV/AIDS Alliance

in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh with the lead partner NGOs Palmyrah Workers

Development Society (PWDS) and Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM). This research study

was led by Dr.Vimla Nadkarni and Dr.Ashabanu Soletti (TISS) and supported by

Dr.Sangeeta Kaul (India HIV/AIDS Alliance).

The study shows that children who head households face tremendous challenges and

are vulnerable to exploitation. Though inadequately prepared, they have to move

into adult roles. It also brings out the advantages and disadvantages of

community foster care. The fact that community is coming forward to take care of

the needs of orphaned children is definitely a positive sign. The study also

brings into focus the challenges of the emerging social environment that impacts

all forms of social and economic relationships.

The findings accentuate the need for immediate response at all levels in order

to protect children from abuse and exploitation. Intervention programmes should

aim at the protection and promotion of children’s rights.

The report concludes that there is need to strengthen the support systems for

people living with HIV /AIDS and the children affected by HIV/AIDS. The physical

and mental health needs of the people living with HIV/AIDS and their children

need to be identified and dealt with. There needs to be proper orientation

regarding foster care and foster family, for the children before placing the

children in foster care.

The final report can be downloaded from the Alliance website at

http://www.aidsalliance.org/sw41834.asp

Dr.Sangeeta Kaul

Senior Programme Officer : Care,Support and Treatment

India HIV/AIDS Alliance

kushal House, Third Floor,

39 Nehru Place, New Delhi 110 019

India

Switchboard: +91-11-4163 3081 Ext. 125

Fax: +91-11-4163 3085

Email: skaul@...

Websites: www.aidsalliance.org