The Gambia

A least developed country, The Gambia has reduced maternal mortality, but further progress is needed. Limited access to contraceptives and the prevalence of child marriage also remain key challenges. Active in the country since 1972, UNFPA helps strengthen capacities to provide reproductive health care, including emergency obstetric and family planning services. With HIV prevalence edging up, UNFPA has assisted with collecting national data mapping the epidemic’s socio-economic differences and applying new information to policy-making. Programmes also back the implementation of the national gender and women’s empowerment policy.