Abstract
This study examines the factors influencing the effectiveness of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy (FNSP) in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Its overall objective is to propose strategies that can be implemented in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy in this area. The effectiveness of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy in Masvingo, Zimbabwe has been gauged according to the different global key dimensions of measuring the effectiveness of similar policies. These dimensions include food availability, access to food, food utilisation and food stability. The broad goal of the Zimbabwean Food and Nutrition Security Policy is to promote and ensure adequate food and nutrition security for all people at all times in Zimbabwe, particularly the most vulnerable. The effectiveness of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy in Masvingo is determined by comparing the current status of food and nutrition security in Masvingo with the core commitments underpinning the Policy, namely ensuring food and nutrition security, delivering social assistance, and ensuring food safety and standards. The study theorises and contextualises the concepts, dimensions and status of food and nutrition security in Masvingo by using a mixed methods research design. This design entails the integration of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The Food and Nutrition Security Policy is in line with the fulfilment of a long-standing international commitment enshrined in international frameworks such as: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948); the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (1966); the Rome Declaration of Food Security (2009); the Zero Hunger Challenge (2012); the UN Millennium Goals (MDGs, 2000-2015); the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015-2030); the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (Financing for Development) (2015); and the Paris Declaration on Climate Change (2015). The Food and Nutrition Security Policy in Zimbabwe is also in line with a number of continental and regional statutory and policy frameworks on food and nutrition security such as: the African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990); the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) (2003); the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Food and Nutrition Strategy (2015); and the African Union Agenda 2063 (2015-2063). Most, if not all these global, continental, and regional conventions, statutory and policy frameworks have been domesticated and adopted in the National Statutory and Policy Framework of Zimbabwe...
Ph.D. (Public Mangement and Governance)