"Strengthening mechanisms in communities to provide comprehensive protection, care and support for OVC"
The problems found among children and families affected by HIV/AIDS are complex and interrelated, as illustrated in the diagram.
Families and communities have always been the first line of response to the epidemic. They have reacted with tremendous resilience and compassion, absorbing orphans mainly within the extended family system. Yet there is compelling evidence that families are increasingly struggling under the strain, and are failing to provide fully for the children’s needs. Households headed by women or the elderly, who are already on the edge of poverty, must stretch their meagre resources even more to cater for additional children. An increasing number of households is made up of lone children. They are left to fend for themselves.
AIDS is putting tremendous pressure on single parents, extended families and traditional community safety nets. Support from governmental bodies is not always available. When it is available, it often fails to reach the most marginalised families and communities. The family’s immediate community usually tries to help. Families who are unable to cope are in many cases assisted by the community through support mechanisms and charity. These kinds of systems no longer seem adequate to address the growing number of OVC. Increasingly, families and communities are overburdened with orphans. There have been reports of the exploitation of children who are dependent on care.
With its development projects in South Africa and Malawi, STOP AIDS NOW! aims to devise innovative strategies to this complex problem. The Children Affected by AIDS (CABA) working group focuses on “social protection”.
CABA Working Group - Lobby and Advocacy for Children Affected by AIDS
The Children Affected by AIDS (CABA) working group is a group of Dutch child-centred organisations and HIV/AIDS organisations who have joined forces to lobby and advocate for issues concerning children and HIV and AIDS. Partners in the CABA working group are: the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Save the Children Netherlands, Plan Netherlands, UNICEF, Bernard van Leer Foundation, YCCIS (ISS), Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) and STOP AIDS NOW!
On the Save the Children Netherlands website you will find more information about the CABA working group.
The main objectives of the CABA Working Group are:
- building capacity and understanding concerning the issues in the lives of OVC;
- defining a common lobbying strategy based on the analyses given at various expert meetings.
If you are interested in learning more about the activities of the CABA Working Group, visit the following section: CABA activities
