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

The study examinedfactors motivating men and women in terms of their gender needs to participate in poverty alleviation programmes in the rural areas ofKwara state. The subjects studied consisted of186 men and women randomly sampledfrom two LGAs, andinterviewed using a structured interview schedule. Data analysis involved the use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Die results showed that more participants were concerned about their strategic gender needs than the practical gender needs. The needfor capital was the topmost priority for men and women participation. The strategic gender needs which were important for men participation in poverty 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 andsocial engagement expenses for men while those for women were feeding, buying clothes and capital for establishing business venture