CHILD MALNUTRITION: Rights-based approach key, says UN Expert

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During a side event organised by World Vision International and Save the Children, "the right to nutrition: key to children's health and survival", the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier de Schutter, said "we know what we  need to do, but we are failing."

The UN Expert detailed said that failure to tackle child malnutrition would have not just health consequences but also economic ones. He said a human rights based approach must be adopted to structually change the issue.

The human rights based approach would lead to:

Committemnt made at highest level – result in whole gov approach – all Ministries.....- need committemnts from beyond Ministries of healht...

need to improve accountability of governence....

commitments of govs must be changed into legislation to be held accountable..
“improving women's rights is key to child survival

Changing perceptions

“human rights are often seen as a threat by those who are working on malnutrition issues (looking at a short term), I believe they can be used as an advantage …......................I believe it strenghtens position of child rights advocates who have legal framework, for govs who see that they have an obligation........â€

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