Perception of social participation by actors of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the social participation from the perception held by the social actors who discuss and suggest paths towards Brazil’s Food and Nutrition Security Policy. Methods: Research carried out using the case study methodology, in the period from January to November 2015, in nine municipalities of the state of Maranhão, by means of interviews applied to 38 counselors and members of the intersectoral chambers for food and nutrition security, of which 22 represented the civil society and 16 the public sector. The analytical category “social participation” guided the data analysis. Results: Social participation was understood as “a mechanism of dialogue and conflict”, “exercise of social control”, “tool for achievement of the right and realization of society’s desires” and “strategy to ensure the return of political propositions to the community”. Conclusion: The actors perceive social participation as a means of ensuring the construction of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy and the achievement of the right to food by the population, although they also point out limitations on its effective exercise, a fact that will have an impact on other policies, such as the health policy.