/ 19 July 2000

SWAZIS CONFUSE THE LONG AND SHORT OF AIDS

SWAZILAND will ban mini-skirts in schools to try to halt the spread of Aids. The Swazi government claims that schoolgirls with short skirts entice male teachers into relationships. At least one quarter of the Swazi population is infected with HIV. “The ban will go into effect next year and schoolgirls 10 years and older will be required to wear knee-length skirts,” a source at the ministry of education said. Girls will face expulsion if they breach the ban. In 1969, Swaziland placed a ban on all mini-skirts for morality reasons but the order lapsed when it became difficult to police dress codes in public. A ban in schools would be easier to enforce, the ministry official said.