The socio-economic and physical contributors to food insecurity in a rural community
- Lê, Quynh, Auckland, Stuart, Nguyen, Hoang, Murray, Sandra, Long, Gretchen, Terry, Daniel
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Murray, Sandra , Long, Gretchen , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: SAGE Open Vol. 5, no. 1 (2015), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia is considered a highly food-secure nation; however, this is not always the case for every individual, household, and community. This article examines the physical and financial access to food of the population of Dorset, a rural municipality in North East Tasmania (Australia); the impact that socio-economic factors have on their food security; and the coping strategies they use when food shortages occur. A mixed-methods approach was used: Quantitative data were collected through the Tasmanian Household Food Security Survey and qualitative data through nine community focus groups conducted throughout the Dorset municipality. A total of 364 respondents (response rate 63%) completed the survey. Two main themes were identified within the data: food availability and food access. Food availability considered food origin, sustainability, and food production, whereas food access considered physical access, financial access, and other access issues such as awareness, skills, cultural preferences, and social support. The data revealed the wide-ranging effects of the importation of cheaper food alternatives, which had long-term implications not only on individuals' health but also on the economic health of the community. A number of respondents indicated they were at times unable to buy nutritious foods due to limited finances, which led some to go without food or use other strategies to feed themselves. This study highlights the inappropriateness of the continuation of individual behavior change as a policy focus, as many of the problems facing communities are beyond individual abilities. Thus, the implications for policy from this study are centered on providing further support for strategies that focus on ensuring equity and food security for all, particularly the rural inhabitants of many food-secure nations. © The Author(s) 2015.
- Authors: Lê, Quynh , Auckland, Stuart , Nguyen, Hoang , Murray, Sandra , Long, Gretchen , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: SAGE Open Vol. 5, no. 1 (2015), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia is considered a highly food-secure nation; however, this is not always the case for every individual, household, and community. This article examines the physical and financial access to food of the population of Dorset, a rural municipality in North East Tasmania (Australia); the impact that socio-economic factors have on their food security; and the coping strategies they use when food shortages occur. A mixed-methods approach was used: Quantitative data were collected through the Tasmanian Household Food Security Survey and qualitative data through nine community focus groups conducted throughout the Dorset municipality. A total of 364 respondents (response rate 63%) completed the survey. Two main themes were identified within the data: food availability and food access. Food availability considered food origin, sustainability, and food production, whereas food access considered physical access, financial access, and other access issues such as awareness, skills, cultural preferences, and social support. The data revealed the wide-ranging effects of the importation of cheaper food alternatives, which had long-term implications not only on individuals' health but also on the economic health of the community. A number of respondents indicated they were at times unable to buy nutritious foods due to limited finances, which led some to go without food or use other strategies to feed themselves. This study highlights the inappropriateness of the continuation of individual behavior change as a policy focus, as many of the problems facing communities are beyond individual abilities. Thus, the implications for policy from this study are centered on providing further support for strategies that focus on ensuring equity and food security for all, particularly the rural inhabitants of many food-secure nations. © The Author(s) 2015.
Human rights for or by the people? Securing economic, social and cultural rights in a post-war/post-conflict context
- Authors: Fernando, Dinesha
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This grounded theory (GT) study explores the economic, social and cultural (ESC) conditions and associated rights in post-war Sri Lanka during the past 10 years (2009– 2019). Tamils have been left in a challenging position after the war in terms of how other citizens have been perceiving them and their uniqueness has been disputed in terms of their rights. The overall position of the Tamils in the country has changed in recent history, which is a unique situation not only for the Tamils but also for the whole country. The 30-year Sri Lankan civil war is an important example of transformations during resettlement and the transitions back to normalcy. For many years, the war produced serious loss of life, assets and property, and in addition to these losses, the majority of people were affected either directly or indirectly. It is probably without choice that over the past decades, the Sri Lankans have faced significant economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) challenges, especially in the north of the country. In the 10 years since the Sri Lankan Government brought an end to the devastating civil war, the country has seen improvements in the overall security and freedom of movement, infrastructure, investment, and growth; yet there remain many ESCR challenges. This thesis identifies the forces that have been acting for and against securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka. Specifically, the thesis identifies the strategies to secure ESCR in a post-war situation when ESCR are absent or insecure. The grounded-up nature of this thesis explores capturing the ESCR-related post-war experiences, attributes and learnings rather than gathering facts and describing acts. The thesis was designed to address the research questions in a direct manner: (1) What are the forces acting for and against securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka; and (2) What would be the most effective strategies for securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka? This constructivist grounded theory study collected qualitative data through in-depth, one-on-one semi-structured interviews and observations. In an effort to chart and examine what individuals and communities do in the absence of secure ESCR, I uncovered surprising and interesting coping strategies adopted by communities in their efforts to secure ESCR. A significant aim of this study was to share the results/findings with regional policymakers, especially in the north of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, with the availability of funds, this study could be expanded to incorporate a larger context in the form of a book published to assist in improving the lives of war-affected victims’ in terms of future access, promotion, protection and enjoyment of ESCR.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Fernando, Dinesha
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This grounded theory (GT) study explores the economic, social and cultural (ESC) conditions and associated rights in post-war Sri Lanka during the past 10 years (2009– 2019). Tamils have been left in a challenging position after the war in terms of how other citizens have been perceiving them and their uniqueness has been disputed in terms of their rights. The overall position of the Tamils in the country has changed in recent history, which is a unique situation not only for the Tamils but also for the whole country. The 30-year Sri Lankan civil war is an important example of transformations during resettlement and the transitions back to normalcy. For many years, the war produced serious loss of life, assets and property, and in addition to these losses, the majority of people were affected either directly or indirectly. It is probably without choice that over the past decades, the Sri Lankans have faced significant economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) challenges, especially in the north of the country. In the 10 years since the Sri Lankan Government brought an end to the devastating civil war, the country has seen improvements in the overall security and freedom of movement, infrastructure, investment, and growth; yet there remain many ESCR challenges. This thesis identifies the forces that have been acting for and against securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka. Specifically, the thesis identifies the strategies to secure ESCR in a post-war situation when ESCR are absent or insecure. The grounded-up nature of this thesis explores capturing the ESCR-related post-war experiences, attributes and learnings rather than gathering facts and describing acts. The thesis was designed to address the research questions in a direct manner: (1) What are the forces acting for and against securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka; and (2) What would be the most effective strategies for securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka? This constructivist grounded theory study collected qualitative data through in-depth, one-on-one semi-structured interviews and observations. In an effort to chart and examine what individuals and communities do in the absence of secure ESCR, I uncovered surprising and interesting coping strategies adopted by communities in their efforts to secure ESCR. A significant aim of this study was to share the results/findings with regional policymakers, especially in the north of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, with the availability of funds, this study could be expanded to incorporate a larger context in the form of a book published to assist in improving the lives of war-affected victims’ in terms of future access, promotion, protection and enjoyment of ESCR.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
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