Neoliberalism and social protection : The case of food security among the people living with HIV and AIDS in Cambodia

Abstract

The impact of embedded neoliberalism has seen the worsening impact on social inequalities, particularly in developing countries. In addition, it impacts on economic and non-economic assets and capabilities of the poor. These aforementioned factors can expose them to vulnerabilities and risks while determining their entitlements and capabilities. The effects of globalization via neoliberal policies are revealed by taking a look at food security policies of the chronically ill such as those with HIV and AIDS in Cambodia. HIV-AIDS and the issue of food security is a relatively under-researched area. To many, the linkage between the two issues may seem peculiar more so when juxtaposed against the open economy inclined towards neoliberal policies. Whereas HIV-AIDS is generally related to health concerns and ergo strategies directed at health and nutrition to combat the disease, food security is multi-faceted covering availability of food, access to and use of food needs. Recommendations focused on transformative social protection mechanisms for chronically ill people like those with HIV-AIDS offer a way forward to protecting the poor and vulnerable against globalization. The paper is focused on Cambodia because of (a) food security issues related to land reform and disputes, weak tenurial laws and economic policies; and (b) its weak health system, heavy reliance on donor support for basic national development needs and the high prevalence of HIV-AIDS in the country during the 1990s. The lack of what is known as an “HIV-AIDS lens” on food security reinforces this issue.