Barriers to Overcoming Child Hunger and Malnutrition: Applying a Human Rights Approach to Improve Policy and Action

Abstract

Objective: Analyze key barriers to achieving children’s right to food under Colombia’s food and nutrition security policies and programs.Methods: A literature review was conducted along with 17 semi-structured expert interviews. The law framework on the right to food was applied to analyze findings.Results: Four key barriers were found. First, a reductionist approach prevails in the political narrative. This focuses on ensuring personal food access overlooking societal and environmental impacts. Second, the implementation of policies and programs is passed on to third parties, preventing civic participation and accountability. Third, there are insufficient national data sources and indicators to monitor the impact of interventions and funding. Fourth, program implementation is unequal and inadequate, which inadvertently supports illicit economies that thrive on conditions of hunger and poverty.Conclusion: Children’s food and nutrition are reliant on organizations that focus on personal food supply without strengthening civic participation. Strengthening participation requires a human rights approach. International organizations can help the government to engage communities in policy and program improvement and oversight.

Building Capacity and Advancing Regulatory Measures to Improve Food Environments in the Region of the Americas

“…This is because the human rights law system has significant relevance in the legal framework of most countries in the Region of the Americas [ 72 ]. Moreover, human rights seek to protect human dignity, a principle shared across different cultures and nations [ 73 ], and adequate food and nutrition is an area of human rights inherent to human dignity and essential for the realization of other rights [ 74 , 75 ]. Recognizing this, most of the countries in the Region of the Americas have signed and ratified the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) [ 76 ], which is binding to its member parties and enshrines the human right to adequate food [Art.…”