THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA There is an increasing number of persons with disabilities who are obtaining basic psycho-social therapy. At the Department of Social Welfare, there are currently 450 new clients in addition to the registered 5686 PWDs.  The Department of Social Welfare has also provided 450 disabled persons with mobility aids (artificial limbs, shoes, walking sticks)  The Government has established a Steering Committee for the management and supervision of Integrated Educational Programmes in mainstreaming children with visual impairment across the regions and this is ongoing.  There is also a Joint Advocacy Programme by key stakeholders on inclusive education for children with disabilities and another on Early Childhood Development Programmes.  Strategic plans on disability are included in the National Development Programme 2018-2021. Currently a Disability Bill aims to address issues of equality and non-discrimination of disabled persons, special protection for children with disabilities, providing accessibility in all aspects of society for the disabled persons, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for persons with disabilities, as well as their inclusion in political and public life, amongst others. Social Protection  There are a number of social protection programs being implemented in The Gambia. Some of these programs are financed solely by the Government itself and others through the assistance of the international partners.  A broad range of social protection policy instruments is available to address the multidimensional nature of poverty, risks and vulnerabilities affecting people. The NSPP advocates a social protection system comprised of four components: protective, preventative, promotional and transformative with a broad categorization of social protection measures across these four components.  The Social Protection Floor (SPF), an important global social protection policy approach is also of relevance to the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP). The SPF defines a basic guarantee of social protection for the entire population, addressing key vulnerabilities that occur throughout the 101