Jakarta, July 27 -- Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi emphasized the government's support for Indonesian children living with HIV, calling on all elements of society to reject discrimination and stigma.

"What we need to avoid is the virus, not the person. Children living with HIV must not be alienated or discriminated against and must not lose their rights to education, health, parenting, and protection," she said in a statement released in Jakarta on Monday.

Fauzi underscored that children living with HIV have the same rights as other Indonesian citizens to grow, develop, and participate in society.

She made the remarks following a report confirming that 522 children had tested positive for HIV in Sidoa...