III. Main areas of concern and recommendations
G. Disability, basic health and welfare (arts. 6, 18 (para. 3), 23, 24, 26, 27 (paras. 1-3) and 33)
HIV/AIDS
56. The Committee notes with appreciation the efforts for the prevention, testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS undertaken by the State party; the efforts in Zanzibar to impart skills relating to reproductive health and HIV to young people and to offer youth-friendly services; and the National Guidelines for HIV Testing and Counselling (2013). However, the Committee remains concerned at the high rate of mother-to-child transmission and new HIV infections among girls and boys, in particular given the high rates of sexual violence and unprotected teenage sexual relations. The Committee is also concerned about reports that attitudes towards the sexual orientation of some HIV-infected children prevent these children from seeking and receiving proper HIV services and community health services.
57. The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party strengthen its efforts to combat the spread and the effects of HIV/AIDS (CRC/C/TZA/CO/2, para. 49). In the light of its general comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child, the Committee recommends that the State party develop a road map to ensure the implementation of effective HIV/AIDS preventive measures, including focused interventions for adolescents. It calls on the State party to:
(c) Improve access to high-quality and age-appropriate health services for sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, including confidential services, particularly for adolescents;
(d) Ensure access to proper HIV services and community health services for all children, regardless of their sexual orientation, throughout the territory of the State party;
(e) Engage in public-education campaigns to combat discriminatory attitudes towards children on the grounds of their sexual orientation.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CRC-Tanzania-2015-eng