The role of food gardens in mitigating the vulnerability to HIV-AIDS of rural women in Limpopo, South Africa

• Main Author: Lekganyane, Enniah Matemane
• Other Authors: Roets, Lizeth
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: HIV and AIDS; Food gardens; Rural women; HIV-infections and vulnerability; 616.97920654096825; AIDS (Disease) > South Africa > Limpopo > Prevention; AIDS (Disease) > Diet therapy > South Africa > Limpopo; AIDS (Disease) > Nutritional aspects > South Africa > Limpopo; HIV infections > South Africa > Limpopo > Prevention; HIV infections > Diet therapy > South Africa > Limpopo; HIV infections > Nutritional aspects > South Africa > Limpopo; Rural women > South Africa > Limpopo > Social conditions; Rural women > Health aspects > South Africa > Limpopo; Vegetable gardening > Therapeutic use > South Africa > Limpopo
• Online Access: Lekganyane, Enniah Matemane (2009) The role of food gardens in mitigating the vulnerability to HIV-AIDS of rural women in Limpopo, South Africa, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/793>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/793

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of food gardens in influencing the vulnerability of women in rural communities to HIV-infections. The study was conducted at the Makotse Women's Club in rural Limpopo. Qualitative field research was used and five participants were purposefully selected for participation in face-to-face interviews. The study found that the women's involvement in the food gardens enabled them to take responsibility for their own lives. Participation in food gardens gave these women an opportunity for income generation, the chance to access healthy food sources to improve their and their families' diets and a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Financial independence from husbands and male partners freed them from poverty and male domination. Through exposure to HIV and AIDS education programmes offered at the food gardens the women were empowered with knowledge about sexual health, hence reducing their vulnerability to HIV-AIDS. === Sociology === M. A. ((Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS))