Hunger &
Starvation Myth #7:
Hungry people are a helpless burden on
society and the world.
The Hunger Project recognizes that
creating truly effective strategies and actions for the end of
hunger requires a new framework of thinking, that is, a new paradigm
- a paradigm consistent with the end of hunger. The key elements of
that new paradigm are:
-
Self-reliance:
Conventional approaches have treated hungry people as the
problem instead of the solution, as beneficiaries rather than
the primary actors, working for their own self-reliance. All
individuals have the right and the responsibility to be the
authors of their own lives and their own development. The work
of ending hunger must build from people's own creativity - their
own skills, resources and decision making.
-
Enabling Environment:
People's ability to express their self-reliance is a function of
the opportunities provided by the society. The work of ending
hunger is therefore not feeding people. It is the work of
creating an enabling environment in which people have the
opportunity and empowerment they need to build lives of
self-reliance.
-
Empowerment of women:
Women and girls are the most affected by hunger and poverty.
Traditionally, women bear the primary responsibilities in the
most relevant areas - food production, nutrition, family
planning, primary health and education. Yet most development
inputs continue to go to men. A central component of effective
strategy must be the empowerment of women in ways that enable
her to achieve improvements in all key areas that affect their
lives and those of their families.
-
Global responsibility, partnership and
investment:
Hunger is a global issue. All of us have the responsibility to
stand in partnership with hungry people, committed to their
success. The achievement of this goal represents a new future,
not only for those who are hungry but for all people. Realizing
this new future for all humanity requires investment, not
charity.
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