Description
In Mexico, hunger, obesity, malnourishment, and other diet-related diseases threaten the population’s wellbeing. To address limitations in current food policies and to improve quality of life, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Mexico advocate for change and influence public policy related to food. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze how Mexican food-related NGOs have engaged in advocacy and managed to change policies. The study also seeks to understand the connections and relationships among relevant actors. Finally, this research aims to examine how NGOs have incorporated feminist perspectives that can empower women in the nation. The research design was inductive and qualitative. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with administrators from eighteen organizations. Mexican food- related NGOs have won important policy battles, but their advocacy work continues as there are other policies that need their attention. This research found that (a) food-related NGOs in Mexico have won policy battles on behalf of their constituents by utilizing a variety of advocacy strategies; (b) NGOs have tight networks of cooperation and have an adversarial relationship with the private sector; and (c) several organizations work with a gender perspective, but do not consider themselves feminists. With this thesis, I attempt to fill the gap in literature regarding Mexican food-related NGOs, specifically focusing on advocacy strategies and relationships to other actors. This study seeks to make a contribution to our understanding of the role of NGOs in the Mexican public policy arena.
