Role of Professional Social Workers in Promotion of Quality of Life of Children Orphaned by AIDS: A Study

Abstract

This article discusses the role of professional social workers in promotion of quality of life of children orphaned by AIDS. Children orphaned by AIDS are the children, who have the age of below 18 years, and lost one or both biological parents due to AIDS. It is estimated that there are 13.8 million children worldwide had lost mother or father or both parents to AIDS as of 2020. Children orphaned by AIDS face economic, social, psychological, and health problems. It is very difficult for them to access the basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing as well as education. This study conducted in two states of India i.e. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with 316 children orphaned by AIDS. The study found that women-headed, granny-headed and child-headed families are more in HIV affected families. Stigma and discrimination were faced by 64.2 per cent respondents. About 35 per cent of the children are not attending the schools regularly, 72.2 per cent respondents required psycho-social support. Social work is a practice-based profession and it believes that every child is unique. There is a lot of scope for the practice of social work profession with these children. Social workers work as a social case-worker, social group worker, community organizer, social activist, social welfare administrator, social researcher, counsellor, communicator, and educator etc. to promote the quality of life of children orphaned by AIDS. This study suggested a strategy to work with children orphaned by AIDS.