In culmination of the weeklong celebration of the 2020 National Human Rights Consciousness Week with the theme “Karapatan at Pagbangon sa Lahat ng Panahon: Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights,” the Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 3 (CHR-RO3) held a Virtual Awarding Ceremonies for CHR-RO3 Allies and Partners on 9 December 2020.
During the ceremony, the National Nutrition Council-Region III (NNC-Region III) was presented with the Human Rights Champion Award, along with other partner agencies and organizations to recognize their continuous commitment in upholding human rights, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the onslaught of numerous natural disasters.
During the ceremony, the partner agencies and organizations recognized as Human Rights Champion, were each given the chance to express their gratitude and commitment to the agency’s advocacy. Ms. Antonette Gail Garcia, Nutrition Officer I of NNC-Region III, who attended on behalf of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ana Maria B. Rosaldo, congratulated CHR-RO3 for the successful celebration of the Human Rights Awareness Week for the year 2020 and thanked the agency for the invitation and for presenting such “prestigious” award to NNC-Region III. NNC-Region III expressed its utmost support to the endeavor, advocacies, and future undertakings of the CHR-RO3. NNC-Region III also reiterated its role in championing for human rights linked in its very purpose and goal.
“The NNC which main goal is improving the nutritional status in the country and ultimately end malnutrition, continuously advocates for the protection of human rights, especially since the right to adequate food and nutrition, and freedom from malnutrition is a basic human right.”
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that "everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food ... " Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights recognizes "the essential right of every person to be free from hunger," Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that "States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health" and shall take appropriate measures "to combat disease and malnutrition… …through the provision of adequate nutritious foods, clean drinking water, and health care,” and the 1992 World Declaration on Nutrition states that “access to nutritionally adequate and safe food is a right of each individual.” These passages from various international laws and agreements strengthen the agency’s mandate and its core function as the country’s highest policy-making body on nutrition.
CHR-RO3’s recognition of NNC-Region III as a Human Rights Champion agency reminds us the important role of nutrition workers and advocates and the agency in pushing for the right to food and nutrition as a basic human right.
Both human rights advocates and nutrition workers share a primary concern for every individual person and an interest in the role of public action in supporting a full and active life of dignity for all human beings. On one hand, human rights advocates’ role is in terms of state obligations to implement human rights. On the other hand, nutrition workers and advocates role are to evoke food and nutrition policy commitments. Together, human rights advocates and nutrition workers hand in hand in ultimately upholding the protection of basic human rights, which includes the basic right to food and nutrition.
Author: Antonette Gail D. Garcia, Nutrition Officer I
