OVC consultation organized by IMPHAL OVC project

[Guest guest]

Children raise their concerns in the first ever State Level Children

Consultation organized by Imphal OVC Project, World Vision India

Around 40 Children living with HIV and affected by HIV and AIDS in Manipur

earmarked 29th August 2009 as the day to voice their concerns in ensuring child

friendly implementation at all levels.

This is the first initiative of the Manipur OVC project of World Vision in

facilitating active involvement and participation of children to voice their

ideas in designing programmes at the state level.

The three-day consultation brought together children from the age group of 10-17

years to reflect on their issues caused by HIV on a rights perspective and

evolve strategies that would benefit children affected by the epidemic at the

larger level.

This consultation was facilitated using participatory approaches to enable

children to express more openly and creatively. The Consultation was facilitated

by Mr.Jeyapaul from Buds of Christ.

The issues were highlighted in three main areas and the first one was on the

existence of stigma and discrimination in schools, community and among friends.

Children further stressed the need for more awareness raising especially

including session around stigma and discrimination.

The second area was about pediatric care and treatment. The need expressed

included treatment education for children and their care takers, counselling for

children, especially in preparing children on the side effects of ARV, nutrition

education and child friendly environment in the ART centers.

The third area was on care and protection of children affected

by HIV and AIDS. The issue of social secutiry, discrimination in school, lack of

good nutritious food, drug abuse issue in the family was expressed.

The need for programmes that are issue-specific was desired from the

children.

The consultation ended with dissemination of the workshop proceeding to the

stakeholder through market place event. The welcome address was delivered by Mr.

Augustine, Project Manager of Imphal OVC project, Ms. Daisy , HIV and AIDS

coordinator from World Vision India National office presented the three day

process of the children consultation.

This was followed by sharing by guest on the event, The Chairperson of Child

Welfare Committee raised the principles of child rights and appreciated World

vision for providing opportunities to actively participate in making decisions

over issues that affect them. She also appreciated Imphal OVC project, World

Vision India in organizing the first ever state level children consultation for

and by children affected by HIV and AIDS.

Thanks,

Imphal OVC Project Team.

Daisy | Coordinator – HIV & AIDS | World Vision India | Phone No:

+91-44- 2480 7000 | Mobile:+91-94440 13390 | www.worldvision.in

[Postal Address:16, VOC Main Road, Kodambakkam, Chennai“ 600 024.]