Managing population growth in the Gambia Total Fertility rate (average number of live births per woman): 1996: 7 2000: 6 2005: 5.2 2012: 4.10 2014: 3.85 Population Growth Rate: 1993 = 4.2% 2005 = 3.0% 2010 = 2.4%

How to increase use of contraception?: Widespread contraception education programme, with awareness raising TV and radio broadcasts, posters etc. Contraceptives provided by charities (with distribution by jeep/motorbike to remote areas). Cost of pharmacy-bought contraceptives, subsidised by the government; Religious leaders agreed to encourage the use of contraceptives. 2. How to improve post-natal medical care (to reduce infant mortality): Nurses and clinics providing nationwide post-natal vaccinations against 6 common, preventable diseases; Parents better educated about post-natal health requirements More mosquito nets given out by charities

“Too young to be a mother” 3. “Spacing” – parents taught about spacing and its benefits – leaving 3-4 years in between children, instead of 1-2. This leads to stronger, healthier mothers and babies, reduced infant and maternal mortality and lower birth rates. Better diets, living conditions and education for the smaller number of children = benefits are all; 4. School-based education campaigns (raising awareness but also removing the traditional social taboo about talking about sex): “Say no to early sex” “Too young to be a mother”

5. Community forestry projects An attempt to increase the country´s firewood supplies and to reduce the damaging consequences of decades of deforestation; Villagers develop nurseries to grow saplings in; Protected area planted with saplings. When these reach full size, they are cleared selectively