Malawi Human Rights Commission Executive Secretary, Habiba Osman says lack of effective implementation of policies, strategies and programmes aimed at addressing food security is hindering the country’s progress in achieving the right to food.
Speaking in Lilongwe at a national dialogue on the right to food, Osman attributed this to limited stakeholder awareness, low public investment, and lack of demonstrable political will on the implementation of such initiatives.
“As much as we have seen the country progressing under these policies, we still need to close some fundamental gaps in fulfilling the right to food,” said Osman.
Elizabeth Namaona, Acting National Director for the Civil Society Agriculture Network, said the body wants to see the process of enacting the Food and Nutrition Bill expedited for the benefit of all Malawians.
Senior Chief Lulanga of Mangochi, urged the government to strengthen programmes aimed at supporting small-scale farmers to produce more food.
A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund indicates that as of March this year, 9 million people were facing acute food shortage in the country.
