Sindh Human Rights Commission Reaffirms Nutrition as a Fundamental Human Right at Closeout Ceremony

Karachi, Pakistan — 03-12-2025
The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) participated in the closeout ceremony of a major initiative aimed at strengthening civil society and community-based organizations working in the nutrition sector. The event was attended by representatives from the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), academia, civil society groups, and distinguished public figures.

The Honourable Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, graced the event as the Chief Guest, acknowledging the importance of adopting rights-based approaches to improve health and nutrition outcomes across Sindh.
Representing the Sindh Human Rights Commission, Agha Fakhur Hussain the Secretary, SHRC, expressed sincere appreciation to Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho for her leadership, vision, and continued commitment to strengthening maternal, child, and community nutrition services in the province.
The Secretary also acknowledged the valuable contributions of Ms. Barbara Riksen and Mr. Carlo De Rosa of the European Union Delegation for their technical guidance and long-standing support, as well as Mr. Fahad Abbasi and Mr. Muhammad Attiq of the IRC for their effective management and collaboration throughout the project.
Emphasizing that adequate food and proper nutrition are fundamental human rights, the Secretary highlighted the need to embed equity, transparency, and inclusion into all nutrition-related policies and interventions.
The SHRC outlined key priorities for the future:
• Recognizing nutrition as a human right in provincial planning and budgeting.
• Accelerating implementation of existing nutrition, maternal, and child health legislation.
• Centering vulnerable and underserved communities in all nutrition programs.
• Strengthening accountability and community feedback mechanisms.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the Government of Sindh, civil society organizations, development partners, and communities to uphold the right to nutrition for every child, woman, and family in Sindh.
“The gains made through this initiative must be institutionalized to shape a healthier and more equitable future for Sindh,” the Secretary stated.