National Consultation on Children and AIDS Policy Framework

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members!

In India, an estimated 70,000 children below the age of 15 years are

infected with HIV. An even larger number of children whose parents

are living with, or have died of AIDS have had their childhood

redefined by HIV/AIDS.

The Government of India's `Policy Framework on Children and AIDS –

2007' seeks to broaden the focus of NACP - III to include and

address the specific needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS. This

Policy Framework adopts a rights based approach and provides a

mandate and framework for government departments at all levels of

governance, working for the welfare of children, to collaborate.

In the above context, the India HIV/AIDS Alliance is hosting a

National Consultation on June 26, 2008 with an objective to

disseminate and discuss implementation of the Policy and Operational

Guidelines on Protection, Care and Support for children affected by

HIV/AIDS.

The India HIV/AIDS Alliance's flagship programme, CHAHA, supported

by the Global Fund in four states of India is a good example to

showcasing the implementation of Children and HIV Policies.

Organisations working for Children and HIV, NACO, WCD and the

Alliance India partner organisations from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil

Nadu, Manipur and Maharashtra are participating in this

consultation.

Knowledge about the Policy Framework would assist organisations and

communities in implementing their programmes and aligning their

response to HIV/AIDS and children with the national response. We

would like to invite you to join us on Thursday, 26th June, 2008 at

Hotel Star Grand Villa, East of Kailash, New Delhi to enrich the

discussion with your valuable experience.

This consultation will be followed by an internal meeting on June

27, 2008 in which the Alliance India will share its newly drafted

Child Protection Policy with its partners to develop a common

understanding about issues around child protection and to provide a

safe environment for children we work with.

If you are interested to participate, kindly send in your

confirmation by 24th of June 2008 to Ms Padma Buggineni (Senior

Policy Officer) at pbuggineni@... or Ms Twinkle Dahiya

(Programme Assistant) at tdahiya@.... For any further

information, you may contact Ms Twinkle Dahiya at +91-11-41633081,

Ext: 136.

Looking forward to your participation!

Padma Buggineni

e-mail: <buggineni_padma@...>