Children, HIV and the church

A combination of factors fuels HIV transmission among children. Some of the reasons include the lack of access to treatment for women living with HIV. In 2023, only 12 countries achieved the target that 95% of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV have access to medications to prevent transmission.

Other factors include exposure to HIV during pregnancy or the breastfeeding period (women started the pregnancy without HIV, but they acquired HIV by the time they gave birth or during breastfeeding and were not aware of it). Many women are lost to follow-up after birth, which might be related to stigma (fear of being seen in health facilities associated with HIV) and gender-based violence (partners not agreeing with frequent visits to the health facilities).

At least three groups of children are affected by HIV. The first are children who are born with HIV and need immediate access to medication and proper care for a lifetime. As they grow, they will have to disclose their status and might have to deal with pre-existing stigma, chronic depression, and mental health problems. 

Second, the children affected by HIV, the sons and daughters of people living with HIV, some of them orphans of one or two parents. Their education and nutrition may be neglected because of the significant medical expenses of the family. The stigma of the parents living with HIV affects these children as well.

Third, vulnerable children who are in situations of increased and intersectional vulnerabilities might be exposed to HIV in childhood. These are children in forced labour or sexual slavery, children who are victims of sexual abuse, children living in the streets, children on the move, refugees, and children in conflict areas. 

Children and God

Adult Christian communities and leaders must constantly remember what God says about children. We should study children’s stories and align our commitment towards children with what the Bible says.

Children are gifts and blessings from God (Psalm 127: 3-5). Jesus declared that the kingdom of God belongs to children (Matthew 19:14). Adults must learn from children (Mark 10:13-16) about spirituality and openness to receiving God. The mouths of babies and infants manifest God’s praises (Mathew 21:15-16) and the strength of God (Psalm 8:2). 

The stories of children in the Bible show that children are a precious asset to humanity. Young David was the only one with the courage to face the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17: 18-41); the maid of Israel guided the military chief to healing (2 Kings 5); Daniel and his friends did not compromise their sacredness (Daniel 1:17); the boy with loaves and fishes gave the little he had and, in this way, contributed to feeding thousands (John 6); Timothy was devoted to his pastoral calling even as young missionary taking care of Paul in the worst situations (Timothy 4:12); and Samuel listened to and responded to God when adults were not receptive (1 Samuel 3).

God holds us responsible for children:

“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

When the disciples wanted to create barriers, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me” (Matthew 19:14-15). What about the church today? Are we embracing children? Or are we becoming a barrier as the disciples were?

Children, HIV, and the church

There is a critical role for the church in ending HIV among children. The following ideas come from churches in Uganda and Nigeria who had been part of the training “Living with HIV in the family:”

- HIV prevention and sensitization programmes in faith communities, including in rural areas

- HIV education in Sunday Schools and couples counselling

- Public support for women, children, and families living with HIV 

- Challenge stigma

- Integration of HIV education in church activities (for example, HIV awareness day/week), including social media platforms

- Educate faith communities on how to take care of children living with HIV, including traditional birth attendants

- Create safe and enabling environments for children living with HIV in the church, families, schools, communities, health facilities, and all other spaces where the church is influential

- Have Mentor Mothers in the churches

-Preach about human dignity and the responsibilities of parenthood

-Develop educational materials showing how to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, and the breastfeeding period

-Become a caring family for children living with and affected by HIV.