Young children, HIV/AIDS and gender: a summary review

To protect children, address gender and HIV and AIDS in early childhood

By: Bhana D, Brixen FF, MacNaughton G and Zimmerman R
Published by: Bernard van Leer Foundation, 2006
Via: Eldis

Gender discrimination and inequality is a key factor in the transmission of HIV and AIDS. Therefore, this paper argues, efforts to prevent AIDS through empowering girls and changing men’s behaviour should begin in early childhood, when beliefs about gender are formed.

The paper reviews evidence on the factors that contribute to the healthy development of children generally, the construction of gender and sexuality in childhood and adolescence, and indicates how gender identities and relations can make children and girls especially vulnerable to infection. It argues that children are most open to developing more positive gender identities and behaviours before the age of 8; further, it points out that children and young people may be sexually active or otherwise at risk of contracting HIV. Interventions in early childhood can teach children to adopt protective behaviours and reduce their vulnerability and risk.

Finally, the authors offers suggestions on the elements of early childhood education programmes that might assist young children in confronting gender discrimination and HIV and AIDS now or later in their lives:

• effective education programmes that deal holistically with the development of the child
• individualised approaches to meet the differing needs of children, especially children in the 0 to 8 age group
• programmes that encourage discussion among girls and boys to raise boys’ awareness of the harmful nature of certain attitudes and practices
• programmes that educate teachers and support parents and other primary caregivers, and encourage them to reflect critically together on their own investments in concepts of gender
• to reach those children most at risk, programmes should not only be focused on schools
• there is a need for many more programmes that focus on addressing gender discrimination as a cause of the spread of HIV and AIDS
• education on gender discrimination and HIV and AIDS prevention in early childhood programmes

An appendix provides an overview of key conventions and declarations promoting children’s and women’s rights.

(http://www.bernardvanleer.org/publication_store/publication_store_publications/

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