A/HRC/43/44 E. Adopt economic reform to address the poverty and inequality of marginalized populations 73. As has been addressed in previous thematic reports, poverty, inequality and the inequitable distribution of food and productive resources remain a significant barrier to the right to food, particularly for populations that have faced historic and pervasive discrimination. As a result of inequality, reaching zero hunger extends beyond productionoriented approaches, the paradigm in which Sustainable Development Goal 2 is rooted. States should invest in social protection mechanisms and inclusive policies rather than place excessive reliance on the supply-oriented solutions that gained support and influence following the food price crises in 2008 and 2011. 74. Rather than relying exclusively on the food aid promoted by the Group of Eight countries and on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to address socioeconomic inequality and food insecurity, the international community should address the deeper structural causes of poverty in the global South. That includes inequities in the rules governing international trade, ill-advised economic reforms imposed by international financial institutions, financial speculation on global commodity markets, biofuel policies, the dominance of transnational corporations in global food markets and the imposition of economic sanctions.63 75. Realizing the right to food requires States to transform the promise to “leave no one behind” into concrete policies aligned with human rights obligations; demonstrate the political will and financial commitment to implement the Sustainable Development Goals; and prioritize solutions to the global drivers of hunger and malnutrition in ways that counter nationalist policies. F. Empower women and girls and promote gender diversity 76. International organizations are affording increased attention to gender discrimination, yet women and girls continue to face disproportionate discrimination in the form of regressive social and economic policies. Women and girls of colour, migrants, refugees, indigenous and non-middle-class women experience increased vulnerability while, the “gender empowerment” discourse promoted by States and many corporate actors is being used to cover up exploitative practices and dispossession of the commons. 64 Women comprise almost half of the agricultural force in developing countries, yet own less than 13 per cent of agricultural land. They are instrumental in securing food for others but have precarious food security for themselves. 77. The Committee on World Food Security forum on women’s empowerment has highlighted significant policy implementation gaps: in 155 countries there is still at least one law on the books that limits women’s economic opportunities. Efforts that emphasize gender equality, such as the Group of 20 (G20)-World Bank agricultural assistance fund and the United States “Feed the Future” initiative, still have limited impact because they focus on “market-ready” farmers, who are usually male. 65 Mainstreaming a gender perspective into food and agricultural policies will help ensure that women and girls are guaranteed the right to education, are no longer victims of early and forced marriage, are not subject to violence and are otherwise protected from human rights violations. 63 64 65 See Carmen Gonzales, “International economic law and the right to food” in Rethinking Food Systems, Nadia C.S. Lambek and others, eds. (Springer, 2014). See Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition, “State of the right to food and nutrition report 2019”. See Hélène Botreau and Marc J. Cohen, “Gender inequalities and food insecurity”, (Oxfam, July 2019). 17