Food Agency as a Pathway for Household Food Security Among Women Smallholder Farmers in La Guajira, Colombia 公开

Gomez, Jamiee M. (Spring 2019)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/x059c8253?locale=zh
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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)

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