eng - World Organisation Against Torture

comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDSand the rights of the child and theInternational Guidelines on HIV/AIDSand Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/37),the Committee recommends that theState party continue to:(a) Strengthen its efforts to implementthe AIDS Prevention and Control Act inorder to prevent and treat the effects ofHIV/AIDS;(b) Prevent discrimination against childreninfected with and affected byHIV/AIDS, for example by implementingthe Philippine AIDS Prevention andControl Act of 1998 prohibiting any formof discriminatory act, and ensure thesechildren have access to adequate socialand health services;(c) Provide adolescents with accurateand comprehensive information aboutHIV/AIDS, including condom use, inschools;(d) Ensure access to child-sensitiveand confidential HIV/AIDS counsellingwithout parental consent when requiredby a child;(e) Seek technical assistance from,among others, the Joint United NationsProgramme on HIV/AIDS.Standard of living66. The Committee notes with concern thehigh number of children living in householdsbelow the national poverty line andthe wide disparities in wealth betweendifferent regions. The Committee isdeeply concerned about difficulties facedby children living in poverty, as to theenjoyment of their human rights, includingaccess to social and health servicesand education. The Committee isalso concerned about the poor housingsituation in the State party and familiesliving, for example in urban slums andsquatter communities without adequateinfrastructure.67. In accordance with article 27 of theConvention, the Committee recommendsthat the State party take urgent efforts toraise the standard of living among its ruraland urban population living inpoverty, inter alia, through implementinga poverty reduction strategy andcommunity development, including the79