ANALYSIS OF GENDER DIFFERENTIALS IN INCOME INEQUALITY AMONG CRAYFISH HARVESTING HOUSEHOLDS IN SELECTED STATES OF NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined empirically gender differentials in income inequality, among crayfish harvesting households in some selected State of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A multi-stage and stratified random sampling techniques was employed in selecting a total of 409 (300 males and 109 females) crayfish harvesters. A structured questionnaire and interview schedule survey was used for the study. Descriptive statistical tools (percentages, frequencies and means) and inferential statistics (gini coefficient and Lorenz curve) were used to analyze the data of the study. The results revealed that income inequality of male crayfish harvesters (0.64) was higher than that of females (0.58). However, the pooled result showed that the level of income inequality among the crayfish harvesters in the areas was generally high (0.63). The study recommended that government should ensure gender equality and equity in the provision, allocation and distribution of productive (harvesting) resources and services, women should be given unrestricted access to productive resources, be made to have fair share in the family wealth, be integrated in policy formulation and implementation on community matters, and be given power to take decision in the sector among others.