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The Gambia swimming programme

The investment case for teaching oyster harvesters how to swim

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 10 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Category Technical brief

Synopsis (short abstract) This document presents an investment case for the funding swimming programmes for women oyster harvesters, like the one organised by FISH4ACP in The Gambia in 2024 and 2025. The case is built on information about the costs, benefits and results of such swimming programmes. Gambian women oyster harvesters received swimming lessons at a cost of USD 55 000. The swimming lessons reduced the risk of water-related safety incidents, as most women oyster harvesters cannot swim. The lessons built confidence, improved mental health, and prepared the women to respond appropriately when incidents occur. The investment is estimated to have a net economic benefit if it prevents the drowning of 1–4 of the 120 participants over their working lifetimes (depending on the methodology used to calculate the benefits). There is strong demand for swimming lessons among other oyster harvesters in The Gambia, and the swimming programme could be transferred within the region, given an estimated 13 000 oyster harvesters in Senegal, and 1 500–2 000 in Guinea-Bissau, many of whom can’t swim.

Last updated 18/09/2025

Language English

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