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Dr. Elizabeth Mkandawire
University of Pretoria

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0 Food Security
0 Food Systems
0 Gender
0 Nutrition
0 Policy

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Journal article
Published: 31 July 2021 in Sustainability
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Globally, gender inequalities constrain food security, with women often disproportionately affected. Women play a fundamental role in household food and nutrition security. The multiple roles women play in various areas of the food system are not always recognised. This oversight emerges from an overemphasis on one aspect of the food system, without considering how this area might affect or be affected by another aspect. This study aimed to draw on international commitments and treaties using content analysis to enhance the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Security food systems framework by integrating a gender perspective. The study found that generally, there is a consensus on specific actions that can be taken to advance gender equality at specific stages of the food system. However, governance and social systems constraints that are not necessarily part of the food system, but have a significant bearing on men and women’s capacity to effectively participate in the food system, need to be addressed. While the proposed conceptual framework has some limitations, it offers a foundation on which researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders can begin conceptualising the interconnectedness of gender barriers in the food system.

ACS Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire; Melody Mentz-Coetzee; Margaret Mangheni; Eleonora Barusi. Enhancing the Glopan Food Systems Framework by Integrating Gender: Relevance for Women in African Agriculture. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8564 .

AMA Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire, Melody Mentz-Coetzee, Margaret Mangheni, Eleonora Barusi. Enhancing the Glopan Food Systems Framework by Integrating Gender: Relevance for Women in African Agriculture. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (15):8564.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire; Melody Mentz-Coetzee; Margaret Mangheni; Eleonora Barusi. 2021. "Enhancing the Glopan Food Systems Framework by Integrating Gender: Relevance for Women in African Agriculture." Sustainability 13, no. 15: 8564.

Research article
Published: 23 August 2019 in PLOS ONE
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Many studies purport that in low-income countries, women are often responsible for producing, preparing and purchasing food. Consequently, policies related to food and nutrition overemphasise the role of women, underestimating the potential for cooperation and complementarity between men and women. This focus on women does not account for socially constructed expectations of women that undermine their decision-making in resource allocation. Using desk reviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, our case study in Malawi sought to understand the complementary role of men in maternal and child nutrition. International agreements and Malawi’s policies were reviewed to understand how men’s involvement emerged on the nutrition policy agenda. Policymakers, stakeholders and men and women from rural Central Malawi were interviewed, sharing their experiences of men’s role in maternal and child health. The study found that men’s involvement in maternal and child health has been on the development agenda since as early as 1995. Malawi has made efforts to involve men in these areas through several policy actions and programmes. Contrary to literature suggesting that women are the main producers, procurers and preparers of food, this study found that men in rural Central Malawi are increasingly becoming responsible for providing and purchasing food. Men also play a supportive role in food preparation, helping women access diverse diets during and after pregnancy. They also take up a supportive role in household activities, providing women with assistance in housework and looking after children. The positive change in men’s roles presents an opportunity for exploring how men can contribute to food security and nutrition. Opportunities exist for designing inclusive food and agriculture policies that promote cooperation between men and women in food and nutrition. These policies can challenge misinterpretations of women’s role in food security and the underlying systems that reinforce gender inequalities.

ACS Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire; Sheryl L. Hendriks. “The role of the man is to look for food”: Lessons from men’s involvement in maternal and child health programmes in rural Central Malawi. PLOS ONE 2019, 14, e0221623 .

AMA Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire, Sheryl L. Hendriks. “The role of the man is to look for food”: Lessons from men’s involvement in maternal and child health programmes in rural Central Malawi. PLOS ONE. 2019; 14 (8):e0221623.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire; Sheryl L. Hendriks. 2019. "“The role of the man is to look for food”: Lessons from men’s involvement in maternal and child health programmes in rural Central Malawi." PLOS ONE 14, no. 8: e0221623.

Journal article
Published: 19 January 2018 in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
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Men’s involvement in maternal and child health presents an opportunity for the advancement of maternal and child nutrition as men often play a key role in decision-making particularly regarding women’s reproductive health. While most research on men’s involvement in maternal and child health has focused on men’s participation in antenatal care, this study focuses specifically on men’s involvement in maternal and child nutrition. The purpose of the study is to explore how men’s involvement is conceptualised in rural Central Malawi, highlighting the key factors influencing men’s involvement in maternal and child health. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 informants and 44 community members. Critical policy was used as the theoretical framework to inform the analysis of research findings. In this study, we identified several factors that facilitate men’s involvement in maternal and child health, but we also identified several barriers. Facilitators of men’s involvement included: recognition by men of the impact of their involvement, pride, advocacy, incentives and disincentives and male champions. Barriers included socio-cultural beliefs, stigmatisation and opportunity costs. The study also found that there were several limitations that had unintended consequences on desired programme outcomes. These included: discriminating against women, marginalisation of married women and reinforcing men’s decision-making roles. The study findings highlight the importance of involving men in maternal and child health for improved nutrition outcomes. We emphasise the need for nutrition policy-makers to be aware that gender dynamics are changing. It is no longer just women who are involved in nutrition activities, therefore policy-makers need to revise their approach to ensure that they consider men’s role in nutrition.

ACS Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire; Sheryl L. Hendriks. A qualitative analysis of men’s involvement in maternal and child health as a policy intervention in rural Central Malawi. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2018, 18, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire, Sheryl L. Hendriks. A qualitative analysis of men’s involvement in maternal and child health as a policy intervention in rural Central Malawi. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2018; 18 (1):1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elizabeth Mkandawire; Sheryl L. Hendriks. 2018. "A qualitative analysis of men’s involvement in maternal and child health as a policy intervention in rural Central Malawi." BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 18, no. 1: 1-12.