Orphans
Orphaned Children Around the World
Today, 153 million children worldwide are orphans. There are serious consequences for the rights and development of such children.
Definition of an Orphan
An orphan is a child who has one or two deceased parents.
Of the 132 million orphans who live in developing countries, an estimated 13 million have lost both parents.
Factors Contributing to the Creation of Orphans
AIDS Orphans
One of the major causes of children being orphaned is the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
A child becomes an orphan when one parent dies from the virus. The child may or may not have also contracted the virus.
In 2008, about 430,000 children became infected with the HIV virus. In most cases, the virus is transmitted from mother to child. This can be avoided when adequate health care is made available. However, poorer countries usually do not have access to medical treatment.
While the flood of AIDS infections continues unchecked, the number of AIDS orphans will also continue to rise.
Other Significant Factors
Children can also lose a parent due to natural disasters, famine, and war. The latter factor also contributes to the displacement of children across borders.
Extreme poverty, illness, abuse and incest can also tear nuclear families apart and, in the end, lead to abandonment.