Need assessment is a systematic process used to identify, analyze, and prioritize the needs of individuals, communities, or organizations before designing policies, programmes, or interventions. In gender-sensitive planning and policy making, need assessment ensures that the distinct needs, interests, and priorities of women, men, girls, boys, and marginalized gender groups are recognized and addressed. It helps planners allocate resources efficiently, reduce inequalities, and promote inclusive development. Various methodologies are employed depending on the objectives, target population, and available resources. The participatory methodology is one of the most widely used approaches. It actively involves community members, particularly women and marginalized groups, in identifying their needs and suggesting solutions. Methods such as focus group discussions, community meetings, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), social mapping, resource mapping, seasonal calendars, and ranking exercises encourage local participation. This methodology strengthens ownership, enhances transparency, and captures needs that may not be visible through quantitative data alone. The survey methodology involves collecting structured information through questionnaires and interviews. Household surveys, demographic surveys, labour force surveys, and socio-economic surveys generate quantitative data about education, health, employment, income,