A ‘Right to Nutrition’ in Zambia: Linking Rhetoric, Law and Practice

Abstract

Zambians in all walks of life are affected by malnutrition, and working through human rights is one key way to address this injustice. Based on research aiming to understand how a ‘right to nutrition’ is perceived by different actors globally and in Zambia, this brief presents a clear framework for a rights-based approach to nutrition in Zambia. This framework identifies rhetorical, legal and practical functions of human rights, and offers a way to think through clearly how different actors might work on the different aspects of rights.

Addressing these three aspects of a right to nutrition all together – instead of by very separate constituencies as happens now – is fundamental to a coherent rights-based approach to nutrition. This brief outlines which actors need to come together – from law and policy, activism and communities, across global, national and local levels – and suggests how to start. It lays out the Zambian policy, legal and practical environment as it stands, and suggests actions to move forward in each of these areas in ways that are consistent with the different aspects of rights. Through these steps, Zambia can become known as a hub of action on a right to nutrition, to join with others in using human rights to address the injustice of malnutrition.