Assess the factors that influence food insecurity (10) Flashcards
Intro & definitions
Food insecurity is
Paragraphs
- Gender
- Political factors
- Environmental factors
- Education
Examples for gender
In Sub-Saharan Africa, polygamy is very common. In Niger, it is customary for a man to take a second or even a third wife, and when there was a severe food shortage when crops failed in 2015, many second and third wives of men were limited access to food as the first wives are often given priority.
Explanation for gender
The impacts of gender on food insecurity often vary on a world-regional scale.
Access to most financial services such as credit and insurance is only available to men in rural areas. This greatly limits food security and farming innovation for women.
Access to land and land ownership for women is very limited in most parts of the developing world. This means that they have little control over their land and the size of their holding is only large enough for subsistence farming.
Examples for political
One of the causes of the 2017 famine in South Sudan was a war that broke out in 2013, causing millions to be displaced and to live in makeshift camps.
The government and rebel forces raided cattle.
Explanation for political
Can take place on a regional or national scale.
Wars and the actions of rebel forces can impact food insecurity.
Foreign governments can also impact local food markets by exporting cheap food into global markets, thus undermining local prices by undercutting their prices. This leads to food insecurity because ___
Examples for environmental
In 2017, heavy rains in Bangladesh destroyed the annual rice crop before it was ready to be harvested.
High overnight temperatures reduced corn yields in the USA Corn Belt in 2010 and 2012. (climate change).
Explanation for environmental
Often on a regional scale e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa and climate change
Environmental pressures can disrupt subsistence farming systems and this can directly lead to food insecurity.
Climate change is causing extreme temperature and precipitation events that can reduce crop growth, dry out plants, or completely wash them away. It is also exacerbating the already-existing environmental problems.
Examples for eduation
Studies from Africa show that children of mothers who have spent five years in education are 40 percent more likely to live beyond the age of 5.
Explanation for education
Can affect food insecurity on a range of scales, from local to regional, depending on whether countries have a federal education system.
Not only can education allow someone to get a higher paying job, but education allows people to properly understand nutrition and be able to cook for themselves.
Lack of education fuels poverty → , not enough money to buy nutritious food → people often turn to processed food (esp in HICs and emerging economies where fast-food chains are very common)
This also ties in with gender equality: women’s access to education is a determining factor in levels of nutrition.
