Over the past twenty years, UNICEF has been the leading voice for children in the global AIDS response. Today, UNICEF’s support to address HIV/AIDS among children extends through the First Decade and the Second Decade of Life. Central to UNICEF's response is the promotion of gender equality and human rights as core elements of equity.

In the First Decade of Life, UNICEF focuses on infants and children under five, pregnant women and mothers. Strengthening maternal and child health is at the forefront of efforts to eliminate new infections among children due to mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT), with an emphasis on expanding access to treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV and; improving access to early infant diagnosis and paediatric treatment.   

During the Second Decade of Life, UNICEF supports countries to strengthen comprehensive approaches to HIV prevention, treatment and care for adolescents (10-19 years).  UNICEF prioritizes three groups of adolescents at higher risk of HIV exposure.  These include adolescent girls in generalized epidemics as well as adolescents living with HIV and adolescent key populations in all epidemic typologies.

Across both decades, UNICEF works to support countries to expand HIV-sensitive social protection, care and support for families affected by AIDS.  In emergency settings, UNICEF also works towards ensuring that at-risk and emergency-affected populations are not excluded from HIV response in times of greatest need. Through its procurement services, UNICEF provides much needed support to governments and other partners in their efforts to provide quality commodities at the best price to fight HIV.