367
In terms of response, the government and its partners welcome and support the
actions of CSOs such as the NGO PIED which works for the moral and school
rehabilitation of talibés in Djougou, Parakou and Malanville. The Minister of the
Family maintains the contact with Imams and other koranic masters for a better
supervision of children in the formal education system.
368
The child code contains interesting provisions on this point allowing to strengthen the
existing legislative framework, and the new child protection policy addresses all the
practices as vulnerability factors to be eliminated for the full fulfilment of the child.
Still about the new child code, the provisions, other than those already quoted are as
follows: prohibition and sanction of harmful traditional practices (art.184, 376 à 377),
genital mutilations (art.185 to 188).
369
f.
370
Children from minority groups:
All the children whatever their social condition, including children with disabilities,
children living in poverty, children born out of wedlock, asylum-seeking children and
children belonging to indigenous and/or minority groups have all the right to the same
legal protection, against all forms of violation of their physical integrity, and can
benefit from assistance without discrimination.
g.
The right of children to health in the face of the HIV pandemic :
371
According to estimates, there were 4,786 HIV positive children in 2010. But in reality,
one cannot dissociate the analysis of HIV among the child with the one of its parents,
i.e the mother. In 2012, an increase of the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate was noted from
1.7 in 2011 to 1.9 in 2012 from sentinel sites in the whole country. The situation in
some departments remains a source of concern, such as Littoral (3.1%), Couffo
(2.9%) and Ouémé (2.5%).
372
Awareness measures are increased and knowledge, aptitudes and practices in front
of HIV/AIDS are improving.
373
Studies also reveal, the percentage of people exposed to sexual risks is higher
among boys than girls.
As regards Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (thanks to prenatal
consultation), 49% of maternities in 2010 offer Prevention of Mother To Child
Transmission (PMCT).
374
375
Until end of 2009, early diagnosis difficulties did not promote assistance to children
born with HIV positive parents. Indeed, screening was performed with rapid tests and
confirmation of the serological status of the child was only possible at the age of 18
months. Yet, generally, more than 30% of infected children - if they are not under
ARV-die before the age of 12 months and 50% before 2 years.
376
So, many children die before the confirmation of their serological status and the start
of the ARV treatment.
377
In this regard, the State has provided the resources for the experimentation of the
early diagnostic of children born from HIV positive mothers, through ABBOTT
qualitative PCR method (polymerase chain reaction). This experimentation started in
30 pilot PMCT sites in November 2009. The country has since end of 2009 5 PCR (2
in Cotonou, 1 in Porto Novo, 1 à=in Abomey and 1 in Parakou).