The Gambia

UNFPA was a member of the National Task Force, a high-level umbrella group that worked with the National Strategy for Poverty Alleviation Coordination Office (SPACO) to guide the preparation of the country’s interim and full PRSPs. The country’s first strategy for poverty alleviation, completed in 1994, had not addressed population factors as critical to alleviating poverty. During 1994-1998, the government developed a national population policy and programme, largely funded by UNFPA, and used a household poverty study supported by UNFPA to formulate a new poverty reduction strategy. UNFPA is an active participant in the Stakeholders Monitoring Group, which works with SPACO to evaluate ongoing progress towards the targets set out in the PRSP, and is participating in the creation of a Poverty Reduction Dialogue Forum.