May 7 is ‘World AIDS Orphans Day’. The Day was initiated by the FXB International, an NGO dedicated to combating poverty and the AIDS pandemic, to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned children.
More than 25 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents to HIV and AIDS. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 12 million children have been orphaned by the pandemic. (www.worldorphansday.org)
This year’s focus is on advocating for the establishment of programmes and urgent measures to support children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
Issues journalists should address

• Raise awareness of World AIDS Orphans Day. Very few people are aware of the day.
• Add the voice of the orphans so that their plight, inner feelings and experiences are known to the general public. This way, people will be able to assist and address their grievances.
• Orphaned children are vulnerable to all forms of exploitation. They are also subjected to stigma and discrimination. It is therefore the responsibility of the media to combat stigma and discrimination by educating people on its consequences and impact on the children.
• Journalists can lobby governments and other non-governmental organisations to increase care and support programmes to orphans so that they are not abused due to their inability to fend for themselves.
• The media can encourage people to show support and speak against abuse of children who have been orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS.
• Address children’s rights in relation to HIV and AIDS.

SOURCES
1. www.worldorphansday.org
2. www.fxb.org
3.http://www.scout.org/information_events/news/2008/world_aids_orphans_day