December 1, 2009, Inter Press Service (IPS) Africa, with partnership support from UNICEF, today launched a new thematic project to raise the voice and visibility of children and adolescents in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

The IPS Africa editorial project will include regular uploads of print and radio stories, slideshows and resources for journalists and media covering the pandemic.
“Children remain the hidden face of AIDS and IPS Africa aims to provide a platform for them to tell their stories,” said IPS Africa Regional Director Paula Fray.

The “Children on the Frontline” website launch comes as a newly released report shows that while national efforts to combat AIDS are showing positive results, many HIV and AIDS affected children still struggle to have their basic needs met. The report, titled Children and AIDS: The Fourth Stocktaking Report, 2009 was published jointly by UNAIDS, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

IPS Africa reporters in East and Southern Africa will seek to humanize the impact of the pandemic, demonstrate the challenges and highlight the types of solutions that can contribute to improving children’s lives by focusing on:

- Prevention of mother to child transmission
- Providing paediatric treatment and care
- Preventing infection among adolescents and young people
- Protection and care for children affected by AIDS

“Children on the Frontline” stories are available for publication for community and mainstream media partners on the African continent. To receive more information on partnering with IPS Africa, contact Abdullah Vawda at avawda@ips.org.

For more information on Children and AIDS: The Fourth Stocktaking Report, 2009, contact Shantha Bloemen, Communications, UNICEF Africa Service Unit, +27 4955938 or sbloemen@unicef.org.