'20 million orphans by 2010'
19/06/2007
Millions of children African could be orphaned by 2010 if trends continue, it has been claimed.
Two non-governmental organisations have revealed the alarming figures, saying that HIV in Africa will see 20 million under-15s lose their parents.
They added that there was an increased possibility that quality of education would also be reduced through globalisation, deep social crisis, intolerance, violence, abuse and family disintegration.
Speaking yesterday as part of the International Day of The African Child, representatives from Women for Peace in Nigeria (WOPIN), and Organisation Mondiale Pour L'education Prescolier both highlighted their concerns.
Executive director of WOPIN Maryam Abdullahi said: "Orphaned children are disadvantaged in devastating ways. In addition to the trauma of witnessing the sickness and death of one or both parents, they are likely to be poorer and less healthy than non-orphans.
"They are more likely to suffer damage to their cognitive and emotional development, less likely to go to school and more likely to be subjected to the worse forms of child labour and often child abuse."
She added that the increased number of African orphans was leaving many relatives struggling to cope, which was further adding to the poverty cycle.
People across Africa joined forces to celebrate the International Day of The African Child yesterday, with human rights activists in Kenya calling for an end to child abuse and Sierra Leone urging people to fight child trafficking.
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