Concept Note
Vulnerable children are defined as those whose safety, well-being, and development are, for various reasons, threatened. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) may include: orphans, abandoned children, street children, handicapped children, child soldiers and those affected by war (displaced and refugees), children exposed to hazardous work, children who are victims of trafficking and various forms of abuse and neglect, and children living in extremely poor conditions. The number of OVCs is growing in Africa as a serious consequence of the AIDS epidemic, conflicts and displacement. To date, African countries South of the Sahara account for more than 40 million orphans, with an estimated 11.4 million children orphaned by AIDS (UNAIDS, 2007). Of the many factors that accentuate children’s vulnerabilities, the most important are lack of care and affection, adequate shelter, education, nutrition, and psychological support. Although children are exposed to many facets of deprivation and poverty, children who have lost their parents may be particularly vulnerable, because they do not have the emotional and physical maturity to address adequately and bear the psychological trauma associated with parental loss. In the absence of appropriate caregivers in the community, adequate nutrition, and access to education and health services, OVCs are likely to grow up as relatively inadequate adults with reduced potential to contribute to society or to their country’s development.
Introductory Note
We are pleased that you have accepted to take part in a four-week-long moderated e-Discussion: ‘Promotion of the inclusion of Orphans and vulnerable children in the MDGs’. The e-Discussion, organized by the MDGs Poverty Analysis and Monitoring Section (MPAMS) located within the African Center for Gender and Social Development (ACGSD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), aims to identify gaps in existing MDGs targets and indicators.......
Compiled Contributions
Hello everyone,
It is a really sad situation!
Mr. Gérard Muringa
General Director of Development and Reconstruction Programmes
Ministry of Planning, Development and National Reconstruction
Bujumbura, Burundi
[Note from the facilitator: Participant is referring to the message on the magnitude of OVCs in Africa]
Hello,
I quickly read through the report and found that the numbers cited were extremely alarming.
I was most stricken by the comments made by the Kenyan widow, which was quoted on the first page. African orphans are becoming increasingly numerous, while the persons that are suppose to take care of them are also increasingly dying. Our streets are full of orphans who have to resort to pick pocketing and other small crimes in order to survive.
Chad is not free of such problems either and this situation may be further aggravated and become uncontrollable as countries, such as ours, increasingly focus their attention on conflicts instead of on the protection of children.
Thank you for the attached report.
Mr. Theodore Mbainaissem
Environment and Community Development Advisor
Ministry of Social Action and Family
N’Djamena, Chad
Summary Report of E-discussion
Under the project “Strengthening Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Health Promotion in the Millennium Development Goals in Africa”, the African Centre for Gender and Social Development (ACGS) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) organized a series of e-discussions aimed at providing a platform for experts on poverty reduction, gender, social protection and inclusion and the MDGs to share experiences, learn from each other, discuss and to the extent possible recommend supplementary targets and indicators for the MDGs in the areas of social inclusion, gender equality, disability, ageing, youth, sexual and reproductive health and health equity. The first e-discussion of the series ‘Promotion of Social Inclusion of Women and Gender Equality in the MDGs in Africa’, that was held from 21 April to 20 May 2008. Subsequently, a four-week-long moderated e-discussion entitled ‘Promotion of Social Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) in the MDGs in Africa’ was held from 23 June to 20 July 2008.
This community of practice was made up of fifty-five experts from twenty-three African countries that are actively involved in the promotion of socially vulnerable groups. The experts were drawn from governments, non-governmental organizations, universities and development partners. The diversity in experience and area of work of this community of practice (CoP) allowed for an interesting and enriching exchange of ideas and country experiences.
This report provides a synthesis of the e-discussion under three key thematic areas: (i) Prevalence and magnitude of OVCs within African countries as a socially excluded group; (ii) Actions taken by countries to address social exclusion OVCs, challenges experienced and policy implications; (iii) Ways in which the MDGs can be reinforced to address the social inclusion of OVCs and the suggested additional MDG indicators. The last section of the report highlights the main conclusions of the e-discussion.
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