Politics and policy outcomes on children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa

Global agencies working for children affected by AIDS have recently reported some progress (UNAIDS 2008). Year by year, more HIV-positive pregnant women receive medication to avoid infecting their unborn babies, increasing numbers of children in late stages of HIV infection receive antiretroviral treatment (ART), and a higher proportion of affected children enjoy some form of social protection and schooling. However, while all this is good news, countries still fail to provide basic services to the majority of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the context of AIDS. Clearly, all stakeholders need to do more to protect children from the effects of AIDS, but how can this be done? A dominant discourse suggests that governance and politics can provide leverage to a more effective response.