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Nairobi, December 10, 2005

Children of St Pauls Children Home presents a poem during the official Launch of the Kenyan Chapter Organisatin of Africa's First Ladies ( OAFLA) Chapter at KICC Nairobi. The First Lady was represented by Prof. Elizabeth Ngugi, the Techinical advisor to OAFLA.

First Lady urges adults to protect children from HIV/AIDS

First Lady Lucy Kibaki has called on adults to take fully responsibility in protecting children from HIV/AIDS infection.

She urged them to unite in condemning and punishing sexual violence, abuse and exploitation of children.

Mrs. Kibaki also called for the enactment and enforcement of laws to protect children from sexual violence.

The First Lady made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf by Prof. Elizabeth Ngugi during the launching of the Kenya Chapter of the Organization of African First Ladies' continental campaign against HIV/AIDS at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre today.

"This is a unique campaign that focuses on sensitizating adults that it is their responsibility to protect children from HIV/AIDS infection," Mrs. Kibaki said.

She pointed out that children have no power and depend on adults for protection from all dangers, therefore the responsibility of protecting children from HIV/AIDS lies squarely on the hands of adults.

She expressed optimism that by calling on parents to take responsibility, the campaign will mark an important milestone in the struggle against HIV/AIDS infection among children.

The First Lady observed that when the campaign against HIV/AIDS was launched at the continental level during the OAFLA General Assembly in New York in September this year, it was agreed that it could prevent HIV infection among children by embracing traditional values of shared responsibility for children.

In rolling out the campaign at the national level, the First Lady said the campaign calls upon every adult to treat every child as their own, encourages parents and guardians to talk to their children about sex and guard against adult infecting the children.

Noting that messages and materials for the campaign against HIV/AIDS are already prepared, Mrs. Kibaki said her organization is ready to share them with other organizations involved in fighting the pandemic and invited them for partnership in executing the campaign.

"The need to protect children from HIV infection cannot be emphasized. Across the globe, AIDS is responsible for an increasing number of deaths each year," Mrs. Kibaki said.

She regretted that of the 3.1 million killed by the scourge globally this year, over half a million were children aged below 15 years, adding that at the end of 2004, an estimated 2.3 million children were living with HIV.

The First Lady further observed that this year an estimated 700,000 children around the world have been newly infected with HIV hence the need to step up the fight against the pandemic.

"In order to succeed in this campaign it must be clearly understood how children get infected and the role that adults and society as a whole can play in fighting child infection," she said.

She stressed that the key to preventing HIV infection in children via sexual activity is by ensuring they received effective health and HIV education to enable them make informed choices and protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.

"We must, therefore, breakdown taboos that inhibit parents from talking to children about sexual matters," the First Lady said.

Noting that children also get infected through mother-to-child-transmission of HIV, the First Lady urged mothers to take appropriate steps to ensure timely access to medical services to avoid exposing their children to the disease.

She also appealed for support and care of AIDS orphans as a way of protecting and cushioning them from the effects of HIV/AIDS.

"Neighbours who are aware of the existence of destitute children should help out where they can, providing assistance in terms of shelter, food, clothing, health care and education," Mrs. Kibaki said.

She added that community support is the final safety-net for many children and should be nurtured and strengthened.

During the occasion the First Lady donated over Kshs. 400,000 and other Christmas gifts which were presented to nine children's homes catering for orphans by Prof. Ngugi.

The homes also benefited from a donation of shopping vouchers worth Kshs. 5000 each from Nakumatt Supermarket.

The orphans from the children's homes were later treated to a luncheon sponsored by the First Lady.

Present were National Aids Control Council's Deputy Director Prof. Alloys Orago and Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative Country Director Gerald Macharia among others.