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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 21, No. 5, 2021, pp. 18131-18153
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Bioline Code: nd21063
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 21, No. 5, 2021, pp. 18131-18153
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DETERMINANTS FOR REALISATION OF THE RIGHT TO FOOD AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN STERKSPRUIT, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Marais, ML; Drimie, S & Boshoff, C
Abstract
Globally, the youth population aged between 10 and 24 years is the fastest growing and
faces health and nutritional challenges affecting their growth and development,
livelihoods and future careers. The government needs to take necessary action towards
the full realisation of the right to health, water, education and adequate standards of
living, amongst others. A cross-sectional descriptive study using a mixed method
approach was conducted. The study aimed at gaining an insight into perceptions about
underlying factors, having an impact on the realisation of the Right to Food (RtF) of
adolescents in the Sterkspruit area of the Senqu sub-district (Eastern Cape Province). It,
furthermore, explored possible solutions and opportunities to facilitate the progressive
realisation of the RtF for adolescents in this area. In-depth interviews were held with
eight (8) key informants who were actively involved in the community. Fifty (50)
adolescents aged 10 to 19 years completed a self-administered questionnaire and
participated in Focus Group Discussions, stratified for gender and age. Through content
analysis of qualitative data, transcripts were coded and emerging themes were grouped,
using the ATLAS.ti 7 text analysis programme. Sixteen (16) percent of the adolescents
sometimes had access to only one food source at home and have experienced hunger at
times. The most pressing issues identified by participants, which compromises the
realisation of adolescents’ right to food and health, was hunger caused by a
combination of a monotonous diet, lack of agrarian resources, unemployment and
mismanagement of Child Support Grants. Although government was regarded as the
main duty-bearer responsible for the realisation of the RtF, it was perceived to be
inefficient in taking sustainable measures to enhance food security in this resource-poor
area. Very few participants identified adolescents’ own responsibility as rights-holders.
The implementation of a human rights-based approach is needed for both the duty-bearers and rights-holders to facilitate adolescents’ physical and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
Keywords
Adolescents; food security; right to food; social grant; Eastern Cape province
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