Does the role of grandmothers as the primary caregivers in poor households compromise their own right to adequate food? : Investigating two communities in the Breede Valley, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: South Africa is currently experiencing serious challenges affecting household food security. To address these challenges, the country has adopted several policy frameworks and passed legislation based on its Constitution which recognizes the right to food and water. However, this does not seem to be sufficient as some groups are still deprived of food. According to African culture, mainly grandparents or aunts or uncles are coping with the care of orphans when parents die. Primarily, the grandmothers provide for the orphaned children in terms of economic, social and psychological care. In large households, grandparents often look after both their children, grandchildren and even their own parents, leaving them in great despair as the extended family becomes a financial burden. There are concerns especially regarding grandmothers and social welfare - and pension schemes, in addition to the care for elderly people and their right to health, which includes the right to food.

Aim: To investigate if and how the role of grandmothers as the primary caregivers in poor households affected the realization of their own right to adequate food.

Method: The study was conducted in two communities in the Wester Cape Province of South Africa. Three methods were used for collection of data in this study: (i) Questionnaires with grandmothers, (ii) Focus group discussions and (iii) Structured interviews with key informants. A total of 45 grandmothers and 10 key informants were included. The data was coded and analyzed using the software programme ATLAS T.I.

Results: The results indicated that overall, the households represented in this study were indeed experiencing food insecurity. As much as 44 out of 45 (98%) households experienced hunger. Grandmothers reported sacrificing their own basic needs including food, in order to feed their grandchildren.

Conclusion: Living with grandchildren was the biggest constraint for the grandmothers’ enjoyment of their own right to adequate food. The need for more data on the situation of this vulnerable group is needed to encourage interventions with the aim of empowering grandmothers, a usually neglected group of caregivers in large households with both children and grandchildren.