MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY IN GENDER-HEADED FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN PERI-URBAN BADAGRY LGA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explored the multidimensional poverty in gender-headed farming households in peri-urban Badagry LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria. The study involved the random selection of 120 male and female household heads in equal proportions using a multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents; the Multidimensional Poverty Index was used to measure their multidimensional poverty status as well as the headcount and the incidence of poverty; and a Student's T-test was used to test the differences in the mean of the dimensions of multidimensional poverty. The MPI scores were 18.7% and 23.8% for male headed and female headed households, respectively. The living standards and financial standards of the female respondents contributed most to their deprivations; education and health dimensions were the case for the male respondents. No significant differences existed between the two categories of respondents on the dimensions of living standards and financial standards, but significant differences existed in the dimensions of education and health in favour of the female respondents. The study recommended an urgent need for government policies directed at finding sustainable solutions to the problem: the provision of more primary healthcare services, employment opportunities, and strengthening social inclusion. The state government's free education programme should be utilised by children of male heads of households. International and national non-governmental organisations should assist in providing health care and other rural infrastructure to peri-urban communities.