2. 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%

3. 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

4. “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. 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