Factors Influencing Gender Differentials in Involvement in Urban Informal Housing Development Process in South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Housing development is a complex system involving series of linked stages
(preparation, production and servicing) and a number of key actors
(public, private formal and informal sectors). Existing researches are
mostly on housing demand and supply to the neglect of gender differentials
in housing development process even when women constitute over 50 per
cent of the entire population and dominate the urban informal sector. This
study, therefore, examined the underlying factors that enhance
participation in housing development processes among the two gender
groups (male and female) during such development processes in SouthWest Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted while multistage sampling technique was adopted. A structured questionnaire was
randomly administered to 1,090 respondents comprising 794 males and
296 females. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, factor
analysis and t-test to show the factors that influence both male and female
in participating in housing development process and possible significant
difference between male and female involvement in housing development
processes. Males constituted 72.8% of respondents; 84% earned above
N18, 000.00 per month. The results also revealed that ‘Cultural and
Religious factors (26.072%, Family Obligations and Responsibilities
(22.678%), and Economic factors (21.362%) among others are the major
factors influencing the involvement of both male and female in urban
informal housing development. There is significant difference between
male and female involvement in housing development process as men
participated more in South-western Nigeria. Strategies were proposed to
enhance participation of both males and females in informal housing
development process in the region.