HIV/AIDS: What about very young children?

Exchange lunchtime discussion 21 April 2004

Recent research suggests that HIV and AIDS programmes are ignoring very young children, particularly under fives and those in the critical 0-3 period. Such children are particularly vulnerable in HIV and AIDS affected communities and their early experiences may have a major impact on their later lives. How important is it to listen to very young children and ensure their participation? Can we communicate appropriately about HIV and AIDS if we don’t find ways to hear children's voices?

These are some of the issues that Exchange lunchtime discussion participants explored in response to Alison Dunn’s paper: HIV/AIDS: What about very young children? The paper came out of research Exchange has been engaged in for the Bernard van Leer Foundation.

• Full report: What discussion participants thought about listening to very young children, supporting caregivers, and dealing with the ethical issues that are raised by interventions in the family sphere.
• HIV/AIDS: What about very young children? (PDF, 6 pages, 90 KB).
• Source Key list: HIV/AIDS and Early Childhood Development includes key resources drawn from this reasearch.