GENDER AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY IN LESOTHO

Abstract

This study applies the Alkire & Foster (2011) approach to estimate gender gaps in multidimensional poverty in Lesotho using 2016 population and housing census dataset. Results show that when using three-dimensions; education, health and living-standards, gender-gaps observed in multidimensional poverty are above 20% in all age groups except for adults implying that females are more vulnerable compared to males. However; when adding the fourth dimension, economic activity that captures employment status leads to larger estimates of male poverty than female. We conclude that overall, poverty seems to be feminized in Lesotho and on average the rural population suffers more from deprivation in all the indicators considered. Two strong policy implications arise from our findings i.e. reduction of the rural-urban poverty gap and gender gap. It is recommended that some serious protective measures to combat poverty should be taken in rural areas to address equality issues to comprehend the Sustainable Development Goals.