Assessment of the Role of Abia State Agency for Community and Social Development Project in Reducing Poverty and Achieving Gender Equality

Abstract

The study assessed the extent of the achievement of the objectives of the Abia State Agency for Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP) as it pertains to reducing poverty and gender equality. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey research design was employed. The population for the study was 310 stakeholders. No sampling was done. The instrument for data collection was developed by the researcher and titled Assessment of Abia State Agency for Community and Social Development Projects in Reducing Poverty and Achieving Gender Equality Questionnaire (AFCSPIRPAGEQ). It was validated by three experts from Adult and Continuing Education, Education foundations (measurement and evaluation unit). The reliability of the instrument was carried out using 20 stakeholders in Imo State. The coefficient alpha analysis yielded an internal consistency of 0.90 and 0.85 for clusters A and B, respectively. The instrument was distributed and collected by the researcher through the assistance of four briefed research assistants. Data were analyzed using mean and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Post hoc analysis was conducted using Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons. The findings of the study showed that Abia State Agency for CSDP has reduced poverty and achieved gender equality to a high extent in Abia State. Hence the study, among others recommended that Abia State Agency for CSDP should Provide learning opportunities for persons with disabilities, promote gender friendly policies on women ownership of land and engage with different stakeholder groups accordingly, taking into consideration their various opinions on the agency's impact on poverty reduction, and gender equality by conducting regular stakeholders meetings and feedback sessions, developing targeted communication strategies to improve transparency and accountability, and collaborating with NGOs and private sectors to amplify impact in order to sustain and improve more on the CSDP existing milestone on poverty reduction and gender equality.