Empowerment Initiatives Research Articles

P18.09 Community-based support groups engagement in hiv prevention and economic empowerment in rural kenya

Background Support groups’ important role in destigmatizing HIV/AIDS and addressing social-psychological needs of persons living with HIV (PLWH) is well documented. However, the impact of support groups in economic activities is less studied. Our study compares HIV- and non-HIV- support groups in providing social-psychological and economic empowerment for PLWH or at-risk groups in rural Kenya. Methods We recruited 72 participants in 12 support groups (42 women, 30 men; 6 HIV, 6 non-HIV). Interviews lasted 1.5–4 h. Participants were asked to describe the benefits and challenges of support groups. We used MAXQDA qualitative software. We used thematic analysis informed by Grounded Theory principles to develop themes. Results HIV- and non-HIV groups provided socio-psychological benefits to members. However, HIV groups engaged in community-based HIV testing promotion, and empowered members on fight HIV-stigma and to disclose HIV-status. HIV-groups—mostly donor-financed—had challenges related to financial mismanagement and lack of transparency of disbursements. Non-HIV groups—mostly micro-financing initiatives—offered financial assistance (e.g., school fees, hospital expenses), start-up capital for business projects, and improved the standard of living for members. Non-HIV-groups had challenges related to marital conflict and violence about finances, high rate of loan-default among members; and high direct (e.g., membership financial contribution, transport costs) and indirect (e.g., time commitments) costs of group participation. Conclusion HIV-support groups are underutilised in economic empowerment initiatives for PLWH, and face challenges of sustainability, in part due to poor leadership, financial mismanagement and high financial dependency on external funding. Non-HIV groups are underutilised as venues for community-based HIV prevention efforts. Before engaging in micro-finance activities, support groups should receive leadership and financial training to ensure their long-term sustainability and increase group effectiveness in uplifting the quality and standards of living for persons living with or at-risk for HIV in rural communities. Disclosure of interest statement This study was funded by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing Start-Up funds, U. S. A. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.

Evaluation Of The Citi-Sense Project Pilot Studies: Lessons Learned From The Empowerment Initiatives Of Eight International Cities

Introduction: We present the pilot outcomes of the location-based Empowerment Initiatives (EIs) within the four-year CITI-SENSE collaborative project, partly funded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration (EU FP7-ENV-2012). Methods: The pilot study saw a limited number of personal (mobile) and public (static) sensor nodes for air pollution and noise, strategically deployed at eight different international cities (Barcelona, Belgrade, Edinburgh, Haifa, Ljubljana, Oslo, Ostrava, Vienna) to evaluate novel sensor network technology and initiate stakeholder engagement. Results: The limited number of nodes meant limitations in extent of engagement and testing opportunities. For one, only the lead location (Barcelona) was able to handle and test the mobile nodes. For two, the quality of data coming from either type of node was not considered mature enough for public dissemination (except with personnel of local air quality monitoring stations where nodes were co-located to obtain reference values). Despite these limitations, sensor-enabled information showed potential for personal and public exposure assessment, particularly with patterns of spatial and temporal variability. Besides quantitative data, qualitative data from user experience surveys administered with convenience samples in Barcelona showed that the technology can be interesting and practical to stakeholders. Local authorities, however, have been hesitant to become involved with the project due to the potential of EIs increasing public pressure to address complicated environmental issues such as deteriorating air quality. Discussion: EIs were piloted across the cities in an effort to refine the main study protocol deployment commencing later in 2015. Issues identified, such as sensor limitations and stakeholder sensitivities, should be addressed before this time to maximise impact and likelihood of EI longevity as Citizens' Observatories.

Sports’ disciplinary legacy and the challenge of ‘coaching differently’

ABSTRACTBe empowering. Be athlete-centered. Be autonomy supportive. These are three related topics currently being promoted by sport psychologists and sport pedagogists in an effort to recognize athletes’ unique qualities and developmental differences and make coaching more holistic and coaches more considerate. This has led us to ask, how likely are such initiatives to lead to coaches putting their athletes at the center of the coaching process given that coaches’ practices have largely been formed through relations of power that subordinate and objectify athletes’ bodies through the regular application of a range of disciplinary techniques and instruments [e.g. Barker-Ruchti, N., & Tinning, R. (2010). Foucault in leotards: Corporeal discipline in women's artistic gymnastics. Sociology of Sport Journal, 27, 229–250; Heikkala, J. (1993). Discipline and excel: Techniques of the self and body and the logic of competing. Sociology of Sport Journal, 10, 397–412; Gearity, B., & Mills, J. P. (2012). Discipline and punish in the weight room. Sports Coaching Review, 1, 124–134]? In other words, to try to develop athlete-centered coaches capable of coaching in ways that will empower their athletes without also problematizing the discursive formation of coaches’ practices concerns us [Denison, J., & Mills, J. P. (2014). Planning for distance running: Coaching with Foucault. Sports Coaching Review, 3, 1–16]. Put differently: how can athlete empowerment initiatives be anything more than rhetoric within a disciplinary framework that normalizes maximum coach control? It is this question that we intend to explore in this paper. More specifically, as Foucauldians, we will argue that coaching with greater consideration for athletes’ unique qualities and developmental differences needs to entail coaching in a less disciplinary way and with an awareness and appreciation of the many unseen effects that disciplinary power can have on coaches’ practices and athletes’ bodies.

Employee empowerment: factors affecting the consequent success or failure (Part II)

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to uncover and synthesise the main factors that affects and determines the success or failure of empowerment initiatives from a macro and micro perspective.Design/methodology/approach– A thorough review of scholarly articles and empirical evidence was conducted on the topic of empowerment in order to bring to light the correlation between the different factors affecting structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and the effect of leadership style.Findings– It has been determined that a team based structure and a culture based on trust and open communication are the key factors affecting the successful implementation of empowerment. Furthermore, although, many positive points can be made for transformational leadership, transactional leadership cannot be discounted as the research shows that the right combination of incentives and rewards, coupled with a certain organisational culture can breed empowerment among certain types of employees.Research limitations/implications– Going forward in terms of research on the increasingly popular concept of empowerment, it is believed that a more fully integrated model should be developed. Although some models do incorporate analysis of various macro and micro variables a more comprehensive and encompassing model would prove useful. Such a model would allow for a far more in-depth understanding of empowerment and its defining factors and would provide an invaluable tool to organisations wishing to implement empowerment in the most optimal way.Practical implications– In applying a combination of theories on empowerment, leadership and individuals as part of an organisation, the authors posit that empowerment initiatives are predisposed to either success or failure. In order for empowerment to permeate the corporate culture and prove successful, the predispositions of decentralised management and personal ambition are strong factors of success.Social implications– The authors postulate that the deciding factors regarding the success or failure of empowering an employee originate from the employees themselves. Even though employees can adopt new corporate cultures and be transformed by their leaders, their core traits remain the same and will have a decisive impact on the eventual success or failure of empowerment initiatives.Originality/value– Going forward in terms of research on the increasingly popular concept of empowerment, it is believed that a more fully integrated model should be developed. Although some models do incorporate analysis of various macro and micro variables, a more comprehensive and encompassing model would prove useful.

Employee Turnover in a Regional Commercial Bank

This study explored employee turnover in a commercial bank in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Apparently there is a need to curb dysfunctional mobility of human capital in the banking sector in the region. A cross-sectional mixed method design was used to collect data. A stratified sample of banking employees completed a semi-structured questionnaire. Key informant interviewing and a focus group discussion were employed to gather supplementary data. Archival data was used in the calculation of turnover rates. The results show a relatively low overall employee turnover rate, and differences in turnover rates for different job levels and gender distributions. The turnover rate for older and young employees is relatively similar. Factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction include better job offers elsewhere, poor compensation, a lack of promotional opportunities, and Black Economic Empowerment initiatives. The findings of the study provide evidence of the most pressing turnover problems that a bank in a less affluent geographic region experiences. The impact of job dissatisfaction on the productivity, efficiency and service delivery in the bank is highlighted and a number of human resource practices are recommended to manage employee and to develop much needed human capital in the banking sector in the region. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p371

FFC’s Community Empowerment Initiatives towards Sustainability: A Case Study

The case compiles the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities at Fauji Fertlizer Company Limited (FFC), as a part of United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). It highlights CSR activities as followed in five groups and covers both macro-level and micro-level initiatives within the principles of the UNGC. At the macro level, the company is addressing stakeholders’ concerns for underdevelopment in the country by sponsoring community development projects in its operational areas. At the micro level, FFC is carrying out interventions by spreading education, providing health care, protecting environment, alleviating poverty and responding to the challenges of disasters. The case is sponsored by the UNGC Pakistan Local Network.1

A checklist to avoid pilot failures: lessons from a set of women’s economic empowerment initiatives

Pilot programmes have gained significance in donor-supported development interventions because of the growing emphasis on measuring impact. The Results-based initiatives (RBI) were conceived as pioneering pilots expected to acquire rigorous evidence on effective interventions to foster women’s economic empowerment. However, they fell short of providing clear or generalizable conclusions on women’s economic empowerment due to design and implementation problems. The RBI nevertheless offer important lessons on common traps in pilot design and implementation. This article synthesises 10 lessons from the RBI as a checklist to avoid pilot failure, intended for practitioners in any area of development.

Employee empowerment: factors affecting the consequent success or failure – Part I

Purpose– The purpose of the paper is to uncover and synthesise the main factors that affects and determines the success or failure of empowerment initiatives from a macro and micro perspective.Design/methodology/approach– A thorough review of scholarly articles and empirical evidence was conducted on the topic of empowerment in order to bring to light the correlation between the different factors affecting structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and the effect of leadership style.Findings– It has been determined that a team based structure and a culture based on trust and open communication are the key factors affecting the successful implementation of empowerment. Furthermore, although, many positive points can be made for transformational leadership, transactional leadership cannot be discounted as the research shows that the right combination of incentives and rewards, coupled with a certain organisational culture can breed empowerment among certain types of employees.Research limitations/implications– Going forward in terms of research on the increasingly popular concept of empowerment, it is believed that a more fully integrated model should be developed. Although some models do incorporate analysis of various macro and micro variables a more comprehensive and encompassing model would prove useful. Such a model would allow for a far more in-depth understanding of empowerment and its defining factors and would provide an invaluable tool to organisations wishing to implement empowerment in the most optimal way.Practical implications– In applying a combination of theories on empowerment, leadership and individuals as part of an organisation, the authors posit that empowerment initiatives are predisposed to either success or failure. In order for empowerment to permeate the corporate culture and prove successful, the predispositions of decentralised management and personal ambition are strong factors of success.Social implications– The authors postulate that the deciding factors regarding the success or failure of empowering an employee originate from the employees themselves. Even though employees can adopt new corporate cultures and be transformed by their leaders, their core traits remain the same and will have a decisive impact on the eventual success or failure of empowerment initiatives.Originality/value– Going forward in terms of research on the increasingly popular concept of empowerment, it is believed that a more fully integrated model should be developed. Although some models do incorporate analysis of various macro and micro variables, a more comprehensive and encompassing model would prove useful.

Barriers to climate change adaptation: evidence from northeast Ghana in the context of a systematic literature review

Despite the international significance attached to climate change adaptation, there remains a lack of understanding of the barriers that impede the effective implementation of adaptation strategies by households across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Better understanding of the vulnerability of agriculture-dependent households to climate variability requires exploration of the barriers that constrain the implementation of adaptation strategies. This paper uses case studies from northeast Ghana and a systematic literature review to assess the barriers that restrict effective implementation of climate adaptations in SSA. Results suggest that households are constrained by financial barriers, socio-cultural barriers, institutional barriers, technological barriers and a lack of information on climate change characteristics. We examine how the various barriers interact at different levels to influence the adaptation process. Findings highlight that the development of early warning systems, effective communication of climate information and an understanding of the local context within which adaptations take place, are necessary pre-requisites to enhance climate adaptations and rural livelihoods. Households need to be supported through the provision of micro-credit schemes, community empowerment and extension initiatives aimed at enhancing social networks within farming communities in order to reduce their vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change and variability.

Women's empowerment and male involvement in antenatal care: analyses of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in selected African countries.

BackgroundIncreasing women’s status and male involvement are important strategies in reducing preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. While efforts to both empower women and engage men in maternal health care-seeking can work synergistically, in practice they may result in opposing processes and outcomes. This study examines whether a woman’s empowerment status, in sum and across economic, socio-familial, and legal dimensions, is associated with male partner accompaniment to antenatal care (ANC).MethodsWomen’s empowerment was measured based on the sum of nine empowerment items in the 2010–2011 Demographic and Health Surveys in eight sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso (n = 2,490), Burundi (n = 1,042), Malawi (n = 1,353), Mozambique (n = 414), Rwanda (n = 1,211), Senegal (n = 505), Uganda (n = 428) and Zimbabwe (n = 459). In cross-sectional analyses, bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions models were used to examine the odds of male partner accompaniment to ANC between women with above-average versus below-average composite and dimensional empowerment scores.ResultsIn the majority of countries, male accompaniment to ANC was not uncommon. However, findings were mixed. Positive associations in women’s composite empowerment and male involvement were observed in Burkina Faso (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.50) and Uganda (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00-2.35), and in the economic empowerment dimension in Burkina Faso (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.47). In Malawi, significant negative associations were observed in the odds of male accompaniment to ANC and women’s composite (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.97) and economic empowerment scores (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59-0.94). No significant differences were observed in Burundi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, or Zimbabwe.ConclusionWomen’s empowerment can be positively or negatively associated with male antenatal accompaniment. Male involvement efforts may benefit from empowerment initiatives that promote women’s participation in social and economic spheres, provided that antenatal participation does not undermine women’s preferences or autonomy. The observation of mixed and null findings suggests that additional qualitative and longitudinal research may enhance understanding of women’s empowerment in sub-Saharan African settings.

Implications of the Minamata Convention on Mercury for informal gold mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: from global policy debates to grassroots implementation?

In October 2013, after years of negotiation, governments from 92 countries signed a historic agreement called the Minamata Convention on Mercury, establishing mandatory measures to curb mercury use and pollution. Article 7 of the Convention stipulates that governments must create National Action Plans to reduce and where feasible eliminate mercury use in artisanal gold mining, a rapidly growing informal sector in much of Africa, with strategies to be monitored by the Convention Secretariat. The purpose of this study is to critically analyze the implications of the Minamata Convention for the artisanal mining sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, which currently depends upon mercury amalgamation for gold extraction. Our analysis draws on examples from Zimbabwe and Tanzania, countries with divergent political challenges but both with expanding artisanal mining sectors. We argue that a paradigm shift is needed to address intertwined technological, political and socio-economic challenges facing marginalized populations in mining communities. We highlight why meeting the Convention targets requires that international donors and national policymakers proactively engage—rather than vilify—artisanal miners who use mercury, prioritizing local knowledge and collaborative community-based decision making to develop effective pollution abatement initiatives in gold mining regions. We further argue that gender-sensitive grassroots empowerment initiatives including microfinance programs are vital to facilitate adopting cleaner technology, as required by Article 7. Finally, the analysis underscores the need for fundamentally reforming national mining policy priorities, recognizing marginalized mining communities’ resource rights and tackling livelihood insecurity as part of efforts to implement the Minamata Convention. In considering what ‘grassroots’ implementation could mean, the article contributes to a growing body of scholarship calling attention to fairness and equity concerns in order to achieve the aims of global environmental agreements.

EXPLORING THE PROBATION OFFICER’S ROLE IN VICTIM SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT1

In the past, victims of crime have profoundly been neglected. Not only were they to a large extent excluded from criminal justice procedure, but assistance and support services and programmes were scarce. The plight of victims to be recognised in the administration of justice resulted in the establishment of various support and empowerment programmes and initiatives. Some of these programmes and services are rooted in the philosophy of restorative justice and realise practically through, amongst others, victim-offender mediation. This article aims to briefly highlight the need for victim support services, conceptualise these services within the paradigm of restorative justice, and more specifically explores the probation officer’s role in the rendering thereof. In this endeavour, findings of a recently finalised study regarding the training needs of probation officers in the Free State serve to substantiate the conclusions arrived at.

Attitude towards sexual control among women in conjugal union in the era of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Mahikeng, South Africa

Husbands continue to be the greatest source of sexually transmitted infections including HIV to their wives. Using a survey of 568 respondents and 33 in-depth interviews, this study examined the attitudes of women in marital and steady relationships towards sexual control in Mahikeng. Data analysis using logistic regression showed that age, type of union, education, occupation, and number of living children were significantly associated with attitudes towards rejecting sex. Additionally, age, type of union, education, and number of living children were found to be significantly associated with demand for sex. Qualitative data revealed that social-cultural factors influence the disposition of most women regarding demanding or rejecting sex from their husbands. Their attitudes to sexual control are intertwined with cultural, religious belief and perception that husbands have sexual right over their wives. Women empowerment initiatives should continue to be considered as a means to assist women to control their sexuality.

English

Indigenous fermented food products are mainly produced by the activities of microorganisms and their preparation remains today as a household art. Fermented food products play very important roles especially in the socio-economic aspect of people in developing countries. In Nigeria, there are large variety of fermented foods and beverages with traditional and cultural value, these fermented food products includes ‘Ogi’, ‘Gari’, ‘Fufu’, ‘burukutu’, ‘Pito’, ‘Iru’, ‘Ogiri’ etc. The fermentation in its production involved various biochemical processes and different lactic acid fermentation. Indigenous fermented food products enhances sustainable development in Nigeria through provision of employment opportunities, thus improving the livelihoods of the citizenry, poverty alleviation, empowerment initiatives, market improvement using simple, low-cost, traditional food processing techniques andenhanced food security providing regular income for the producers. Fermentation of indigenous fermented food also improves its organoleptic and preservative properties, adding to their nutritional quality. This paper outlines common indigenous fermented food products in Nigeria, microorganisms involved during the fermentation processes, their health benefits, emphasizing their sustainability towards National development and also the microbiological and biochemical changes during the fermentation processes.   Key words: Indigenous, socio-economic, food security, national development

A case study on tuberculosis treatment defaulters in Delhi: Weak health links of the community with the public sector, unsupported migrants and some misconceptions

Background: Defaulters are producing the challenging, daunting category of drug resistant cases. It is important to examine and understand the patient's notions and terms to manage them effectively. Objective: To study the reasons behind failure of adherence to treatment and to assess the health care seeking behaviour with awareness of these patients regarding the public sector provisions. Materials and Methods: In depth interviews with ten patients who had defaulted and were undergoing CAT-II treatment which included both retreatment defaulters and new defaulters, were conducted by repeated contacts in Fatehpur Beri PHC DOTS centre. Results: People refuse to seek treatment from a government health centre when they fall sick seriously as they are ready to get treated at any expense and seek private health care facility for the prompt treatment. There is a notion that free service from public sector is not as effective as private corporate hospitals. In the public sector patients defaulted because of side effects of drugs, fear of getting admitted in big tuberculosis (TB) hospitals, incompatible timing, neglect, long waiting time, TB deaths in the family and lack of family support. Among migrants, lack of employers support, family support forced them to return home. Ignorance about existence of DOTS centre with free treatment was observed. Most of the patients were unaware that incomplete treatment could lead to disease. Misconceptions observed were that treatment was futile (talk in the community about drugs being useless) and most of the patients were afraid of the disease and thought they could die because of it. Conclusion: Proposed measures include: Recognition of traditional medicine/complementary alternative medicine practitioners for universal access to TB diagnosis and care, Public sector should be made attractive to the middle class society through enhancement of services and user fees and empowerment initiatives for lack of social support of the migrants.

Effectiveness of Local Governance: Interactions Between Social Capital and Institutional Structures

This paper critically evaluates the debate on what makes local governments more effective, higher social capital (such as trust, reciprocity, and informal social networks) or stronger institutional structures (such as democratic processes, ombudsman, and social audits). Empirical analysis of a decentralized welfare scheme in India, the Andhra Pradesh Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (APREGS), using the latent variable path analysis modeling approach reveals that creation of formal democratic institutional channels in itself does not impact governance performance. Rather, it is mediated by complex institutional and social capital issues. For example, formal information dissemination activates social capital, leading to effective local governance. However, this (higher social capital and better institutions) does not automatically lead to empowerment or trust in the local government. The influence of the economically and politically powerful mediates this relationship. These and other results, cumulatively, highlight the complexity involved in the effectiveness of government empowerment initiatives. The paper calls for a fresh and wider debate on decision-making dynamics in rural India, especially the interaction between government institutions, social capital, and the historical societal dynamics.

Gender-Specific Election Violence: The Role of Information and Communication Technologies

<p class="p1">The rising influence of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) has paralleled the rapid development of women’s political participation worldwide. For women entering political life or holding public positions, new ICTs are frequently used as tools of gender-specific electoral and political violence. There is evidence of ICTs being used to perpetrate a broad range of violent acts against women during elections, especially acts inflicting fear and psychological harm. Specific characteristics of ICTs are particularly adapted to misuse in this manner. Despite these significant challenges, ICTs also offer groundbreaking solutions for preventing and mitigating violence against women in elections (VAWE). Notably, ICTs combat VAWE through monitoring and documenting violence, via education and awareness-raising platforms and through empowerment and advocacy initiatives.

Why Shareholders Shouldn't Vote: A Marxist‐progressive Critique of Shareholder Empowerment

This paper argues that liquidity, short‐termism and low involvement in corporate governance are fundamental ingredients of shareholders’ value maximisation strategies. Neither shareholders nor their representatives will voluntarily adopt restrictions which inhibit their ability to pursue these strategies, such as those presented by the Stewardship Codes. Utilising Marxist and progressive theory this paper evidences the tendency for all capital (including shares) to seek liquidity. It presents historical evidence which shows that political policy can either restrict this tendency, as it did in the progressive and post war period, or facilitate it, as it did in nineteenth century England and in the current neoliberal period. The shareholder empowerment initiatives examined in this paper are therefore best understood as strategies to justify shareholder claims in the current crisis and to thereby protect the neoliberal status quo.

Independent assurance compliance of sustainable development disclosures in the Johannesburg stock exchange firms

This paper examines the extent to which the sustainable development disclosures of companies listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange (JSE) comply with independent external assurance. This is necessary to provide information to responsible investors and to assess the sustainable development commitment of firms in the JSE. A sample of firms within the JSE was taken from the Socially Responsible Index (SRI) group and the non-SRI group. Analysis indicates an increase in the number of firms vying for recognition as socially responsible firms in the JSE’s SRI. Furthermore, a chi-square analysis shows that the SRI and non-SRI group of companies have a comparable rate of compliance with the independent external assurance of sustainable development disclosures. Overall findings indicate that the JSE’s SRI initiative has been functional in driving the sustainable development initiatives of firms in the JSE. There is practical evidence of firms’ commitment to carbon reduction, energy efficiency, waste management, black economic empowerment, water efficiency and other sustainable development initiatives. The paper concludes that stock exchanges may be a catalyst for driving sustainable development behaviour in firms located in emerging and developing countries, hence the paper recommends that stock exchanges in these countries may replicate the sustainable development initiative of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as this may contribute to the sustainable economic development of emerging and developing countries. The paper offers opportunities for future research on the role of global stock exchanges in fostering sustainable development.

Access to nutritious food, socioeconomic individualism and public health ethics in the USA: a common good approach.

Good nutrition plays an important role in the optimal growth, development, health and well-being of individuals in all stages of life. Healthy eating can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer. However, the capitalist mindset that shapes the food environment has led to the commoditization of food. Food is not just a marketable commodity like any other commodity. Food is different from other commodities on the market in that it is explicitly and intrinsically linked to our human existence. While possessing another commodity allows for social benefits, food ensures survival. Millions of people in United States of America are either malnourished or food insecure. The purpose of this paper is to present a critique of the current food system using four meanings of the common good--as a framework, rhetorical device, ethical concept and practical tool for social justice. The first section of this paper provides a general overview of the notion of the common good. The second section outlines how each of the four meanings of the common good helps us understand public practices, social policies and market values that shape the distal causal factors of nutritious food inaccessibility. We then outline policy and empowerment initiatives for nutritious food access.