The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a household survey programme developed by UNICEF to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring human development in general and the situation of children and women in particular. MICS is capable of producing statistically sound, internationally comparable estimates of social indicators. The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey provides valuable information on the situation of children and women in The Gambia and was based, in large part, on the needs to monitor progress towards goals and targets emanating from recent international agreements: the Millennium Declaration, adopted by all 191 United Nations Member States in September 2000, and the Plan of Action of A World Fit For Children, adopted by 189 Member States at the United Nations Special Session on Children in May 2002. Both of these commitments build upon promises made by the international community at the 1990 World Summit for Children. Survey Objectives: The 2006 Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has as its primary objectives: To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in the Gambia; To furnish data needed for monitoring progress toward goals established in the Millennium Declaration, the goals of A World Fit For Children (WFFC), and other internationally agreed upon goals, as a basis for future action; To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in the Gambia and to strengthen technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such systems. Survey Content Following the MICS global questionnaire templates, the questionnaires were designed in a modular fashion customized to the needs of The Gambia. The questionnaires consist of a household questionnaire, a questionnaire for women aged 15-49 and a questionnaire for children under the age of five (to be administered to the mother or caretaker). Survey Implementation The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) was carried by The Gambia Bureau of Statistics. Financial and technical support was provided by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Technical assistance and training for the survey was provided through a series of regional workshops organised by UNICEF covering questionnaire content, sampling and survey implementation; data processing; data quality and data analysis; report writing and dissemination.
