Document Abstract
Published:
2008
Gender, Food Security and AIDS in Internally Displaced People's Camps in Uganda: implications for HIV Responsive Policy and Programming
This two-page brief provides an overview of research conducted in 2007-08 into the interactions between gender relations, HIV and AIDS and food security in war-affected communities in Northern Uganda. Firstly it reviews the policy and legal context associated with these issues; it then outlines key findings and lists policy recommendations.
A number of national policies and plans have been developed in Uganda that address each of the key issues separately. However no single policy addresses the important relationships between gender, food security and AIDS in conflict areas. For example, the Poverty, Eradication Action Plan, recognises that AIDS and gender are cross-cutting issues, and makes provisions for improved access to agricultural extension services for women, but it makes no plan to boost food security in Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps. A specific policy on IDP issues has been developed but as yet key food security aspects, such as building up grain stores, have not been implemented. Similarly with the Food and Nutrition policy national food stores have not been implemented. Various policies seem to be out of touch with communities’ livelihoods needs as they have often been developed in a non-consultative, top-down way.
Findings from the research show that food insecurity is a big problem in the IDP camps, with 'buffer' stocks collapsed and most people on one meal a day or less. Particularly vulnerable households were those with a number of elderly people, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphaned children and disabled people. Projects aimed at growing food were hampered by insecurity and lack of access to land and resources. Women and girls were more vulnerable to HIV infection due to rape being used within conflict.
There is a need to strengthen existing policies to tackle some of the issues outlined above.
Recommendations include:
A number of national policies and plans have been developed in Uganda that address each of the key issues separately. However no single policy addresses the important relationships between gender, food security and AIDS in conflict areas. For example, the Poverty, Eradication Action Plan, recognises that AIDS and gender are cross-cutting issues, and makes provisions for improved access to agricultural extension services for women, but it makes no plan to boost food security in Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps. A specific policy on IDP issues has been developed but as yet key food security aspects, such as building up grain stores, have not been implemented. Similarly with the Food and Nutrition policy national food stores have not been implemented. Various policies seem to be out of touch with communities’ livelihoods needs as they have often been developed in a non-consultative, top-down way.
Findings from the research show that food insecurity is a big problem in the IDP camps, with 'buffer' stocks collapsed and most people on one meal a day or less. Particularly vulnerable households were those with a number of elderly people, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphaned children and disabled people. Projects aimed at growing food were hampered by insecurity and lack of access to land and resources. Women and girls were more vulnerable to HIV infection due to rape being used within conflict.
There is a need to strengthen existing policies to tackle some of the issues outlined above.
Recommendations include:
- Improving coordination and integration of services addressing AIDS, food insecurity and gender-based sexual violence in conflict-affected settings
- Strengthening the capacity of local governments to provide agricultural extension services to IDPs
- Special targeting of the most vulnerable households, especially those where there are elderly or chronically sick people (for example those living with HIV), orphan children, or disabled family members.
