In observing Worlds Aids Day, the Inkatha Freedom Party calls on government to prioritise the importance of educating street children about HIV/AIDS.
“Street children have largely been ignored in the fight against HIV and AIDS. While some initiatives exist, the nature of street life, probably has not allowed viable interventions to be implemented. However, this is a group of people that can qualify as a “most at risk” group.
The street children are involved in many sexual relationships and there is a great deal of sexual violence, mainly against girls, but also against boys.
The majority of street children are living in conditions of severe deprivation, which place them at all kinds of health risks. Among the most serious threats to health of street children is the high degree of exposure to sexual abuse. Rape, prostitution, sexual bartering and exchange, casual sex and romantic sexual relationships are among the factors that increase their risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL.
“Lack of safer places to spend the night especially for those children that are permanently on the streets predisposes the street children to sexual behaviours that put them at risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This situation facilitates the sharing of sleeping quarters between boys and girls,” continued Mrs Nkwanyana.
“Programmes for street people seem to miss a piece in the jigsaw hence the puzzle is not completed. Organisations working with street children must now up sex education among the children. In fact, this calls for a national effort to increase awareness of the disease and promoting health sexual relations among them,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991
