Kenya: Defending the Rights of the Orphans

By Newsfromafrica

Nairobi---As the world marks World Orphans Day today, HelpAge International is urging governments and society in general to reaffirm their commitment to orphaned and vulnerable children across Africa and those who care for them.

Approximately 1.6 million older people are caring for the estimated 12 million children who have lost one or both parents to HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS/WHO 2008). The huge contribution these older carers make to the response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic has remained largely unrecognized.

Ms. Nesta Hatendi, Regional Representative of HelpAge International in Africa, says that economic empowerment of older people would go a long way in alleviating the impact of HIV and AIDS felt by orphan and vulnerable children.

“Older people are not explicitly mentioned in any of the MDG targets or indicators. As a result, most development policies and programmes focus their efforts on measuring progress focused at child and maternal health, suggesting that there is limited understanding of the critical social, economic and caring contributions of older people, especially in multigenerational households. 

The contribution that older women and men make to society is invaluable. Many poor older people continue to work well past their retirement ages to support themselves and their families. In some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, 80 per cent of men and 70 per cent of women over 60 years work for a living.”

Ms. Hatendi says that there is a need for governments around the world to recognise the importance of social protection measures in mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS.

“Social protection, including social transfers, can reduce poverty and inequality, providing better lives for orphans and vulnerable children,” she says.

Across Africa, organisations in the HelpAge network take part in regional, national and local initiatives that advocate for improved policies and programmes for older people since the burden of care placed on them has increased over the past two decades.

HelpAge International is a global network striving for the rights of disadvantaged older people to economic and physical security; healthcare and social services; and support in their care giving role across the generations.