<B>By Pauline ETIENNE</B>

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), especially Pils, have kept ringing the alarm bell for the past few months. The number of people infected with HIV/AIDS is on the rise and the government did not seem to find it urgent to react. The recent participation of the minister of Health, Satish Faugoo, proves the previous statement wrong? and so much the better! But, as pointed out by both the NGOs and the minister himself, the fight will stagnate if taboos remain in our society. This is the first obstacle institutions will have to fight!

The director of Pils, Audrey d?Hotman, announced that Aids has found its way into schools. This should be a major cause of concern for the government for two main reasons. The fact that the younger generations are being affected with the disease might become an economic burden for the country. They are those on whom the country is relying for the economic boom. What if they can?t work ? thus contributing to the country?s economy ? and instead need money to be cured?

But what should make the authorities be even more scared is that these new infections may mean that there has been no progress in terms of mind-shift. If the young generation does not find it necessary to protect themselves (while they are the ones that have been drummed that they should do so, how can we expect the older generation to do so?

Obviously, it is easier to change the behaviours of younger ones. Their habits and customs are not as anchored as adults and they are supposed to be more open-minded. But what happens when the latter are trapped into the older generations? taboos? The director of Pils says they are adopting risky behaviours because they do not want to disappoint their parents. While practising sodomy for instance, they remain virgin and are sure that they will not have any problems in the future with their parents?

In which society are we living in? In a society where children prefer to put their lives at stake rather than face their parents and the eyes of an hypocritical society! Parents must make sure they are inculcating the values and principles they believe in to their children. But they must not mist over reality: we are living in an era where 15-year olds are shooting pornographic clips on their mobile phones.

Children are being increasingly exposed to all sorts of images. They need to be given the proper tools to make their own decisions ? but also to protect themselves when the time comes. It is obviously not easy to be a parent today. Children are developing so fast in a world that puts them in contact with shocking images or realities very early. But this is just the reason why preparing them to face such a world appears so important. And the fight against Aids is part of this preparation. Sex education is highly recommended to give children such tools. But, meanwhile, parents need to play their roles? and stop the hypocrisy.