PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN AGED 0 – 6 YEARS

Abstract

This relatively small action research project investigated safety nets with a focus on young children in three sites in different parts of South Africa. The urgent need for action in terms of the impact of the Aids pandemic on children across Africa, together with the understanding that there is still little or no attention being given to the youngest, most developmentally vulnerable children, motivated the study. This report, documenting the main study of the South African action research project conducted during 2005 and investigating effective safety nets for young children in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, should be read in conjunction with the first phase report (Biersteker and Rudolph 2003). In South Africa, like other parts of Africa, the initial thrust of policy and government intervention has been on HIV awareness and prevention, particularly targeting youth. The importance of care and treatment is increasingly being recognised as the overwhelming impact of the pandemic is felt. The growing awareness of the plight of orphans has in recent years expanded to include a wider category of vulnerable children. Vulnerability is being defined as “A child whose survival, care, protection or development may be compromised due to a particular condition, situation or circumstance and which prevents the fulfilment of his or her rights” (Department of Social Development 2005).