Gender Needs for Participation in Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Selected Villages of Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examinedfactors motivating men and women in terms of their gender needs to participate in povertyalleviation programmes in the rural areas ofKwara state. The subjects studied consisted of186 men and womenrandomly sampledfrom two LGAs, andinterviewed using a structured interview schedule. Data analysis involvedthe use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Die results showed that more participants were concernedabout their strategic gender needs than the practical gender needs. The needfor capital was the topmost priorityfor men and women participation. The strategic gender needs which were important for men participation inpoverty alleviation programmes in the rural areas was esteem andfor women were achievement and recognition.Thepractical gender needs that where determinants ofparticipation werepaying children’s schoolfees andsocialengagement expenses for men while those for women were feeding, buying clothes and capital for establishingbusiness venture.