Success Stories Kenya is experiencing one of the most dramatic declines in total fertility ever recorded. This drop is due mainly to increased use of modern methods of contraception. The average number of children per women declined from 6 in the late 1960s to 3.7 in 1980 and to the replacement level of 2.1 in 1991. During the past few decades, Thailand has had one of the world's fastest growing economies. A key part of Thailand's success is that it focuses on social development and the empowerment of women.
Thai women are among the most economically active in Asia.
The female literacy rate is almost as high as the male literacy rate of 96 percent. Zimbabwe is another U.S.-assisted success story. Here, the average number of children per woman, close to eight in the late 1960s, fell to around seven by 1981, and to 5.4 at present. Its success is due in large part to community involvement, especially in guaranteeing women's participation in decision making at all levels. Since Zimbabwe's independence, the government has made the advancement of women a cornerstone of its policy.