This public approach to Aids has a much greater effect than any speech about respecting the individual. These volunteers are already working in Malawi, Zambia, Thailand, South Africa and Burundi and soon in Burkina Faso. The taboo surrounding Aids is a universal phenomenon. In most societies, talking about sexuality isn t easy, even between two partners. Also, the impact of Aids on societies wasn t felt as strongly 15 years ago as today.
People also go into denial, which is an instinctive reaction to danger.
Read The Plague by Albert Camus again. Another natural reaction is to say that it s only something that happens to others. So for 20 years, we ve preferred to keep our eyes shut. Uganda, Senegal and Thailand are among the very few countries whose political leaders have reacted in a timely manner. But this year, the dialogue has started going in the other direction.