UNICEF IN THE GAMBIA

PROGRAMME CYCLE: 1999-2003
 
 

UNICEF RESOURCES AVAILABLE

The total amount approved from (available) UNICEF General Resources for this Country Programme is $3,594,000 of this $1,102,000 will be provided for each of the Health and Nutrition and Water and Environmental Sanitation Programmes, an amount of $849,000 for Basic Education and $181,000 for Advocacy, Social Policy and Programme Development. 

1. MAJOR ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN AND WOMEN (1-2 PAGES)

About one half of the Gambia's population is under the age of 18 years. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the number of female-headed households in the rural areas, owing mainly to increasing urban migration. Families in rural areas have been particularly hard-hit by environmental degradation, which has accelerated during the past two decades, affecting in particular the dry northern and eastern parts of the country.

Progress towards the mid-decade goals has been mixed. The under-five mortality rate (U5MR) decreased from 140 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 107 in 1996 and morbidity and mortality related to vaccine-preventable diseases have declined due to high immunization coverage. Malaria, acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, malnutrition and neonatal problems are now the main immediate causes of child morbidity and mortality. The high maternal mortality rate (MMR) is attributed mainly to hemorrhage and infections. Within the country, marked disparities are seen between the different zones; in certain rural divisions, the infant and maternal mortality rates are about one and a half to twice as high as in urban areas.

The underlying causes of child morbidity and mortality include inadequate access to quality health services and safe water and sanitation facilities, compounded by lack of appropriate information and ineffective community-based prevention of diseases. In certain parts of the country, for example, less than one half the population has access to safe water. The weak economy, low national capacities and vulnerability to external shocks affect the well being of Gambian children and women. Periodic outbreaks of cholera and meningitis, and increasing numbers of refugees from neighboring countries strain already meager resources. 

The prevalence of HIV is still relatively low, but the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) puts the country at risk of an explosive increase in the incidence of HIV. The number of cases of HIV/AIDS has been increasing steadily since 1986 and it is estimated that about 2 per cent of the population are now infected.

Cultural practices, gender discrimination and the high cost to families of formal basic education limit school enrolment and retention, especially of girls. While national statistics show a gradual increase in the primary school net enrolment ratio from 49 per cent (42 per cent for girls) in 1993-1994 to 54 per cent (47 per cent for girls) in 1995-1996, rural areas lag behind, with only 34 per cent enrolment. About 20 per cent of school-age children attend koranic schools, which usually have a restricted curriculum. Many girls in rural areas are withdrawn from school for economic reasons; some of them migrate to urban areas to seek domestic or other employment, where they may be sexually exploited. Since tourism is an important source of income for the country, underprivileged youth are at risk of commercial and sexual exploitation.

Only one out of four Gambian women is literate. Women and girls are key beneficiaries of many development programmes, but the gender gap remains wide in terms of participation in decision-making and control of resources. Despite the extensive role of women in economic productivity and household management, their contributions often go unrecorded. Since they are virtually excluded from the formal credit system, most rural women borrow and save through the informal sector. While their right to land is constitutionally recognized, women are often kept from exercising this right because traditional laws discriminate against them.

Over two thirds of Gambian women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice which is deeply rooted in Gambian culture. Training and information campaigns have been launched by both governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). There is no legislation prohibiting this practice, and women's - and men’s - lack of knowledge, combined with traditional beliefs, prevent women from making decisions on their own sexual and reproductive health.

The Gambia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1993. The country's Constitution has a chapter on human rights and emphasizes child rights, particularly the right to free and compulsory education, but does not emphasize women’s rights to the same extent. A multi-sectoral working group, coordinated by the Department of State for Justice, has been established to prepare the country’s initial report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Government is planning to set up a Commission and Secretariat for Children's Affairs to facilitate implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including further reporting to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 

Recent national policies and programmes, including the Government’s poverty alleviation programme and decentralization policy, are expected to have a positive impact on the situation of children and women. The relatively stable socio-political environment and the existence of village development committees, parent-teacher associations and a large number of voluntary women’s and youth organizations at community level all present opportunities for the promotion and protection of the rights of women, children and youth.