ABSTRACT

Africa is not a single uniform entity. Within Africa there is much diversity, in terms of gender relations, culture, geography, society, family, economy, and natural resources. There is not one formula that can be applied in every case, and every community has to make its individual needs heard. As well, Africa is not static. It is a continent in flux and is rapidly undergoing fundamental changes, namely the growth of urban populations, deterioration of the environment and increasing desertification, deterioration of living standards, growing

dependency on world markets, increasing numbers of young people and children, and civil strife and conflict. Development policies, plans and programs must be flexible to react and respond to these changes.