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

Carolina Mejía Toro; Angela Carriedo; Eliana Maria Pérez Tamayo; Eric Crosbie

doi:10.3389/ijph.2023.1605969

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

Carolina Mejía Toro, Angela Carriedo, Eliana Maria Pérez Tamayo, Eric Crosbie

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Article number	1605969
Number of pages	10
Journal	International Journal of Public Health
Volume	68
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605969
Publication status	Published - 30 Aug 2023
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
CM conducted the research as part of her final project for the Master’s program Human Rights and Multilevel Governance at the University of Padova in Italy, funded by a scholarship granted by the Government of Veneto Region, in Italy. AC, EP, and EC supported CM to write, develop, and revise the final manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Keywords

child
food security
hunger
malnutrition
policies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.3389/ijph.2023.1605969Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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