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 life-cycle for children, pregnant women and mothers, the working-age population and the elderly. The SPF is anchored in the understanding that people’s experience of poverty and vulnerability changes through the life cycle, encompassing five key stages: (i) childhood; (ii) school-aged children and adolescents; (iii) youth; (iv) adulthood; (v) old age. It is comprised of: universal access to essential services (such as health, education, housing, water and sanitation and other services, as nationally defined); and social transfers, in cash or in kind meant to ensure income security, food security, adequate nutrition and access to these essential services. Policy development process The Government of The Gambia, with support from UN partners finalised its first-ever National Social Protection Policy (2015-2025). The National Social Protection Steering Committee (NSPSC) was established in 2012 in order to advance the country’s social protection agenda and lead preparation and implementation of the policy. The NSPSC is chaired by the Director of the Policy Analysis Unit (PAU) of the Office of the President of The Gambia. The Director of Social Welfare is the Secretary. As part of the preliminary process it has already been agreed that the following groups would be considered as possible beneficiaries under The Gambia’s social protection programs. These are  Extremely poor individuals and households  Vulnerable children  Elderly  People with disabilities  Chronically ill  Individuals and families affected by HIV  Vulnerable women and youth  Refugees and migrants  Prison inmates and their families. Potential beneficiaries for an expanded social protection program The 2010 Integrated Household Survey on Income and Expenditure PovertyAssessment provided the following breakdown of poverty as at that date in the regions:- 102