Food Agency as a Pathway for Household Food Security Among Women Smallholder Farmers in La Guajira, Colombia Open Access
Gomez, Jamiee M. (Spring 2019)
Abstract
Food insecurity is a global health concern. Approximately 800 million people experience some form of food insecurity. Despite research and evidence-based approaches, food insecurity remains a threat to populations worldwide. In Colombia, 43% of Colombians experiencefood insecurity and lack access to basic nutritious foods. Therefore, an assessment to understand pathways between food consumption behaviors and food insecurity is needed in order assess methods to achieve food security. This study examined the perceptions of food insecurity among ethnically marginalized and conflict-affected populations in rural Colombia. Using a cross-sectional qualitative research approach, this study evaluated cash-based transfer programs (CBTs) implemented by the World Food Programme in La Guajira, Colombia. The study observed CBT impacts on women’s perceptions of food behaviors in order to examine food agency as a driver towards food security. Results indicated that women in La Guajira hold positive impressions for the CBT programs. Qualitative research explored the ways in which CBT program activities enabled women’s economic, social and human resources based on perceptions on food practices and behaviors. Moreover, participants described how program resources facilitated intrinsic, instrumental, and collective agency, elements that fundamental to food agency. Lastly, the study analyzed how food agency served as a necessary pathway to achieve food security. Despite barriers in La Guajira, food agency is found to be a pathway for empowerment and imperative to achieve food security. The findings stressed the need to measure food agency in nutrition-related intervention programs. Furthermore, recommendations are offered to apply food agency as a framework towards effective food security program design and implementation.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Problem Statement
Purpose Statement
Aim
Significance
Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Cash-Based Transfers and Household Food Insecurity
Cash-based Transfers and Women’s Empowerment
Women’s Empowerment and Dietary Diversity
CBT interventions as a Social Protection Program
Gaps in the Literature
CHAPTER 3: MANUSCRIPT
ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
INTRODUCTION
Theoretical Framework
METHODS
Study Design Overview
Data Collection
Study Site
Recruitment of Study Participants
Focus Group Discussions Methodology and Piloting
Ethics and Informed Consent
Transcriptions
Data Analysis
RESULTS
Social protection program resources
Economic
Social
Human
Food agency elements
Intrinsic Agency
Instrumental Agency
Collective Agency
DISCUSSION
Resources as a pathway to food agency
Food agency as a driver for food security
Limitations
Implications for further research and policy
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION
Resources as a pathway to food agency
Food agency as a driver for food security
Limitations
Public Health Implications
Recommendations
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
APPENDIX 1
Translated Quotes
APPENDIX 2
Semi-structured Focus Group Discussion (in Spanish)
APPENDIX 3
Participant Consent Form (in Spanish)
About this Master's Thesis
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