Nagaland : The ‘World AIDS Orphans Day’ was observed under the theme ‘Child’s Rights’ at the State Academy Hall, Kohima on 7th May 2011 with President, Naga Mothers Association, Abeiu Meru as the chief guest.
President NMA while addressing the gathering said that the AIDS orphans crisis has a catastrophic impact on households and communities that deepens the poverty and exacerbating hardship. She also said that for those children who are affected, the extended family remains the only safety next.
Expressing concern for the children who are affected she said that despite progress in preventing and treating AIDS, we are ignoring the basic needs of millions of AIDS orphans that fewer than 1 in 10 AIDS orphans receives any support and only few resources are reaching the families and communities that provide the frontline response. A generation will be lost if we do not take urgent measures for these children to access their basic rights and can fight AIDS only if we organize a long term response supported by a strong political will, she maintained.The NMA President also pointed out Article 26, 27 and 28 of UN Convention of the rights of the child which states that every child have the right to get helps from government if the child is poor or in need, have right to food, clothing, safe place to live and to have basic needs and should be encouraged to go to school. Pointing out the crisis of AIDS orphans as a major humanitarian, economic, social and security challenge that our society must urgently address, she said that despite the near-universal adoption of child protection norms, more than half of the world’s children are deprived of their basic needs as a result of poverty, war or HIV/AIDS and children miss out on their childhood and are unable to become productive and responsible citizens of tomorrow.
She said that be it a parent, relative, neighbor, student, teacher, healthcare worker, social worker, government official, community leader or a politician, everyone has a sphere of influence and urged all concerned to work against prejudice, bias, abuse, stigma and discrimination towards AIDS orphans and vulnerable children and to extend unconditional care and support.
Additional Director, H & FW, Dr. Neiphi Kire while delivering the welcome address said that despite lots of campaign and awareness camps, there is still fear in the eyes of the orphans. Dr. Kire also said that we should not always depend on foreign agencies and doners but we should also contribute whatever we can. He also said that we have come a long way, when there was no treatment but today we have many ways to treat and support those who are affected. The uniqueness of our society which has at least some people or relative to care for who are affected is one of the advantages, he added. He also expressed the need to build up a social network facility to care for those who are effected by AIDS.
While delivering the vote of thanks, Project Director NSACS, Dr. N.L. Changkija urged the gathering not only to observe the day but to translate into action as child needs lots of love, care and understanding.
Earlier, Pastor Union Baptist Church Kohima, Rev. Dr. Niu Vihienuo pronounced the invocation prayer, special songs were also presented by Natsali and friends, Toshinaro, Red Ribbon Club and Kenei.