Feminisation of Poverty in Nigerian Cities: Insights from Focus Group Discussions and Participatory Poverty[1] Assessment

Poverty reduction is a priority task facing Nigeria's government today. The critical challenge, however, remains ensuring a clear understanding of the dimensions and causes of poverty at the micro level, and developing appropriate strategies to eradicate poverty. The incidence, depth and severity of poverty especially among females are such that poverty reduction strategies are synonymous with economic growth and development strategies. This paper documents and critically assesses the causes and dynamics of female poverty in Nigeria, based on data sets from a national study conducted in selected major urban centres in varying geographical and economic zones with different economic activities and population size. Qualitative data from focus group discussions with women and participatory rapid assessment methodologies are used to capture the dynamics of female poverty, highlight the dimensions of poverty, the processes of impoverishment and priorities as perceived by women themselves as they focus on their realities, needs, constraints and priorities. Appropriate policy measures flow from the findings.