Dr Matiur Rahman

World Food Day, observed on October 16 every year, marks a momentous occasion to reflect on the global challenge of food security and hunger. In 2024, the theme for World Food Day is “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.” This theme emphasises the fundamental human right to adequate and nutritious food. It links food security to broader aspirations for improving the quality of life and ensuring a sustainable future for all. As hunger and malnutrition continue to plague millions worldwide, this year’s theme calls for a renewed commitment to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or economic status, can access the food they need to thrive.

As we observe World Food Day 2024, it's crucial to remember that the right to food is not just a distant concept, but a responsibility we all share. It's more than just the right to avoid starvation. It is the right to access safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food produced in ways that sustain the environment and society. According to the United Nations, over 700 million people globally still suffer from hunger, while many more are malnourished. Inadequate food access remains a glaring manifestation of inequality, with the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and rural communities, disproportionately affected. World Food Day 2024 shines a light on these disparities and seeks to mobilise action. Each of us, regardless of our background or economic status, has a role to play in ensuring that everyone can access the nourishment they need for a better life.

The theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future” not only highlights the connection between food security and well-being but also the potential for positive change. Food is more than sustenance; it is essential to developing individuals, families, and societies. People with access to nutritious food are more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. Proper nutrition strengthens immune systems, supports physical and cognitive development, and enables individuals to work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. In contrast, food insecurity and malnutrition lead to poor health outcomes, stunted development, and a cycle of poverty that can persist across generations. However, by ensuring that every person’s right to food is met, we can significantly improve the quality of life at both the individual and societal levels, offering hope for a better future.

Moreover, the theme underscores the idea that food security is a human rights issue and a vital element of sustainable development. The link between food security and the future is especially relevant in global challenges like climate change, environmental degradation, and growing populations. As the world faces the increasing pressures of limited resources and environmental crises, it is clear that the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed must be transformed to ensure a sustainable future for all. This year’s World Food Day theme points to the need for sustainable food systems that prioritise equitable access, environmental protection, and economic resilience.

A key aspect of realising the right to food is addressing the root causes of hunger and malnutrition. Poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change are among the primary drivers of food insecurity. To ensure that everyone has the right to food, it is necessary to tackle these underlying issues through comprehensive policies and collaborative efforts at the local, national, and global levels. Social safety nets, agricultural development, and investment in sustainable food systems are some of the measures that can help bridge the gap between food insecurity and the right to food. Governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector all have roles to play in ensuring that food systems are inclusive, resilient, and capable of providing adequate food for everyone.

Smallholder farmers and local food producers are critical in the global push to ensure the right to food. They produce a significant portion of the world’s food, particularly in developing countries. However, they are often among the most food insecure due to limited access to resources, technology, and markets. Supporting these farmers through better access to land, finance, technology, and knowledge is essential to boosting food production, improving livelihoods, and making food systems more sustainable. World Food Day 2024 advocates for policies and initiatives that empower smallholder farmers and ensure that they can contribute to food security in a meaningful way.

In addition to smallholder farmers, women are key players in the fight for the right to food. Women make up a large portion of the agricultural workforce in many parts of the world, yet they often face discrimination and unequal access to resources. Empowering women by ensuring access to land, credit, education, and decision-making roles in food production is crucial for achieving food security. Women’s empowerment is not only a matter of justice but also an essential factor in improving food production and distribution at the local level. Ensuring women have equal opportunities in agriculture and food systems is critical to realising the right to food for all.

The global community must also confront the impact of climate change on food security as part of the effort to ensure the right to food. Climate change threatens food production by altering weather patterns, causing more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and other extreme events. These changes directly affect crop yields, disrupt supply chains, and reduce food availability in many regions, particularly developing countries. Sustainable agricultural practices that conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to changing climates must be promoted in response to these challenges. World Food Day 2024 emphasises the importance of creating resilient food systems that can withstand climate shocks while providing adequate nutrition for current and future generations.

The theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future” also calls for reducing food waste, a significant contributor to global food insecurity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. This waste squanders precious resources and exacerbates hunger and environmental degradation. Reducing food waste, from production to consumption, is essential for improving food security and ensuring that food systems are efficient and sustainable. Governments, businesses, and consumers all have roles to play in minimising food waste and promoting more responsible food consumption patterns.

Education and awareness are also central to ensuring the right to food. Raising awareness about the importance of nutritious diets, sustainable agriculture, and food security is vital for driving action at all levels of society. Education programs that teach people about healthy eating habits, food preservation, and the environmental impacts of their food choices can empower individuals to make informed decisions and contribute to a more sustainable food system. Promoting awareness about food rights and sustainable practices can foster a culture of responsibility toward food production and consumption in schools, communities, and households.

World Food Day 2024 reminds us that ensuring the right to food addresses hunger and builds a future where everyone can live with dignity and prosperity. The theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future” calls for collective action to create food systems that are just, inclusive, and sustainable. It challenges us to rethink how we produce, share, and consume food and recognise that everyone has a role in securing food for all. Working together to uphold the right to food can lay the foundation for a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable world for current and future generations.

The writer is a researcher and development worker.