Important progresses have been made through the key role played by UNFPA, in the population field. In the execution of the Country Programme (1992-1996), UNFPA facilitated the adoption and implementation of the National Population Policy and Action Programme and strengthened the National Population Commission Secretariat in its coordinating role.
 

• A network of Parliamentarians on Population and Development was set up to advocate for policy changes in the National Assembly.

• UNFPA with the Netherlands Government and the the World Bank were the main contributors to the success of the 1993 Population and Housing Census.  The results of the census are being widely used by government, international agencies among others. Similarly, the 1990 contraceptive prevalence and fertility determinant survey which has provided the only reliable indicator for reproductive health and family planning, was funded by UNFPA, the World Bank and technical assistance was provided by CERPOD (Centre D'Etudes et de Recherche sur la population pour le Development).

• UNFPA assisted in the development of in-school Population/Family Life Education (POP/FLE) and its institutionalization into the education system as well as strengthening the institutional base of the non-formal POP/FLE and the adoption of multi-media strategies to raise the awareness of the inter-relationship between population size and the quality of life.

• In view of strengthening the collaboration between islamic leaders and scholars in disseminating population messages, a critical mass of both male and female Islamic Scholars have been exposed to the important role that Islam can play in promoting Reproductive Health and Rights by attending conferences, workshops and symposia. 

• UNFPA is working with Islamic NGOs to sensitize the public on Population and Development issues especially focusing on the Reproductive Health and Rights of the girl child, Islam and violence agaisnt women, Islam and child abuse and Islam and family well being. 

• UNFPA assisted a national NGO, The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the health of women and children (GAMCOTRAP) to sensitise the community on the ill health of Female Genital Mutilation. UNFPA also contributed in supporting a sub-regional symposium for religious leaders and medical personnel from National Committees in Africa.

• A network of journalists on population and Development has been recently formed with the participation of journalists from the print media, radio and television. The role of this network is primarily to issue a weekly article on population and Development and to network with other networks in the sub-region on issues relevant to Population and Development.

• The Government finalized the revision of the Youth policy with the assistance from UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF. The National Youth network on Population and Development together with the State Department of Youths Sports and Culture organized a sub-regional Youth Forum : « Youth and Population » with 150 youths from Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia. One Gambian youth participated in the World Youth Forum in Portugal.

• In order to promote decentralization , UNFPA has set up Population task forces at the Division and Municipalities levels to discuss population issues and its correlations with economic growth, environment, etc…

• UNFPA is also supporting the coordination of Population activities in the country through its support to the Populations Secretariat and various technical and steering committees.

• Furthermore, the assistance of UNFPA contributed to the improvement of procurement and distribution of maternal and child health care and family planning supplies and commodities, completion of family planning manuals, and strengthened the technical capacity of the health services providers.

• The Department of State for Education, through the UNFPA supported project on Population and Family Life Education - POP/FLE has conducted during June and July 1999 teachers training throughout the country.  The teachers have shown enthusiasm about this new topic which airms to create an understanding of population issues directly related to social, economic and cultural dvelopment of the individual, the family and the nation.  It also enables informed decision-making on population matters in order to contribute more effectively towards the socio-economic and cultural welfare.

• The Department of State for Education, supported by UNFPA has produced and distributed to the pulbic schools POP/FLE books covering grades 7 to 12 as well as teachers guide books.  The topic is being introduced as a seperate subject during the school year 1999-2000 through innovative learning methods such as dramatisation, inquiry/discovery, future wheels, ...

• INTER-SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL QUIZ COMPETITION ON THE THEME “YOUTH & RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR”

In collaboration with the National Population Secretariat and the Daily Observer Company (Gambia) Ltd. UNFPA organized an Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Quiz competition on the theme “Youth and Responsible Behaviour”.

The aim is for the Quiz Competition to be an annual event with the following objectives:

• Provide baseline information on knowledge and understanding of students at the Senior Secondary level about key population and development issues and pertinent issues affecting their lives;

• Create general awareness on the rights of the child to basic education relating to the body of knowledge, attitudes and skills a child should acquire to enable him/her adapt and maintain moral sexual behaviour and the best reproductive health practices in the society and also identify specific areas of intervention for improved adolescent reproductive health education, maternal and child health care;

The contest was also aimed at promoting Responsible Reproductive Health Behaviour among youths.  It is also hoped that with the introduction of this competition, it will create awareness on population and development issues, STIs among Gambian population especially youths, boost their academic horizons and help strengthen institutional and sectoral collaboration in the promotion of the National Population programmes as a whole.  It is 

Seventeen Senior Secondary Schools accompanied by their teachers, participated in the contest held at the Independence Stadium.  The questions touched on various aspects of population, reproductive health, STIs and general knowledge of the UN System as a whole.

Students’ participation was enthusiastic indeed.  They not only answered the questions put to them, but readily counter-defended any doubts raised to their responses by displaying their knowledge and grasp of the topics.  The atmosphere was one of tolerance and amicable competitiveness.

This contributory participation of the students was indeed impressive and proved just how much ground the teaching of POP/FLE in schools has gained and student awareness and interest in issues concerning their health and environment.

It was not only an opportune forum for exchange of information and sensitisation of students by the organisers, but also an exchange of knowledge and clarification of information on population issues by the various teachers themselves.  One could feel the confidence building among the students, from the impressive contributions being put forward by there teachers and it would be fair to say the contest was also an “inter teachers” contest as well.

A Silver-plated cup carrying the UNFPA Logo, Cash and Certificates were presented to Ndow’s Comprehensive Senior Secondary School being the winners whilst the two contestants received UNFPA Monitors, Pens and ‘T’ Shirts.  Consolation prizes were offered to the runner-up schools, and all other participating schools together with their teachers, received ‘T’ shirts and pens.