Children’s Rights and sexuality in the Context of HIV/AIDS in Africa
Everything that has a beginning must have an end as the old saying goes. It took the Focus Africa HIV group time to conduct a research in well over 15 countries which culminated in disseminating and giving the feedback in the form of a launch in Nairobi, Kenya.
The report was launched on May 13, 2008 at the Hotel Intercontinental Nairobi. The event was covered by 30 journalists from 15 international and local media houses in Nairobi. Among international media houses were BBC Kiswahili. Local media houses included Nation Media Group, East African Standard, Kenya Television Network, KISS FM radio station, Citizen Radio and TV. A total of 100 people attended the launch on behalf of their organizations.
TELL ME MORE! was launched in conjunction with the local partner organization Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA). They presented a study from Kenya confirming the Tell Me More! Findings, as it was necessary to give a local context of the findings. The occasion was attended by policy makers form various ministries such as Education and Health.
Ten youths from around Nairobi also attended the launch and had opportunity to discuss the report as well as sharing of their experiences with other participants.
The launch ended with a call for action to Governments to:
□ honor global commitments on the rights of children.
□ allocate budgets to be able to implement the conventions signed.
□ improve access to youth friendly services
□ implement comprehensive sexuality education programs for children and youth
□ intensify enforcement of legislation to ensure rights of children are protected.
The report is also available in electronic version and can be downloaded at http://www.rb.se/bookshop
Once more congratulations to Focus Africa HIV Group for having worked tirelessly over the period to come up with such findings.