| Abstract: The Gambia ' s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (SPA II) was formulated after a broad-based and prolonged consultative process beginning in October 2000. The predecessor to SPA II was formulated in 1992, presented at a Donors Conference in 1994, implemented for four years, and its performance assessed. The achievements and shortcomings assessed have been been considered during the formulation of SPA II. Poverty in the Gambia has increased drastically since 1993. Although urban poverty is sharply on the rise, poverty is predominantly a rural phenomenon. Gender dimensions of poverty show that women are more vulnerable to specific aspects of poverty, related to income and access to property. Regional variations are clearly marked and show a high prevalence rate in the Eastern half of the country. The causes of poverty have been highlighted, and the need to explore these causes in a more systematic approach has been underscored. The crisis in the groundnut sub-sector, insufficient and poorly coordinated public investment programs, particularly in the social sectors, have been identified as critical investment areas for poverty reduction. Nonetheless, continued macroeconomic reforms for stable economic growth are considered critical to poverty reduction in the medium term. The choice of sectors for investment resulted from a high level of participation. The overall goal of SPA II is to reduce income disparities in access to sources of income and empowerment. |
