12 (a) To improve methods of production, conservation and distribution of food by making full use of technical and scientific knowledge, by disseminating knowledge of the principles of nutrition and by developing or reforming agrarian systems in such a way as to achieve the most efficient development and utilization of natural resources; and (b) Taking into account the problems of both food-importing and food-exporting countries, to ensure an equitable distribution of world food supplies in relation to need. Any discrimination in access to food, as well as to means and entitlements for its procurement, on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, age, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status constitutes a violation of the Covenant.29 Bangladesh has ratified this Covenant. Therefore, it is under obligation to ensure right to food for everyone. However, this obligation can be progressively realized. Adoption of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2008 makes the right to food justiciable at the international level. The Optional Protocol establishes individual communication for victims of a violation of any of the economic, social and cultural rights set forth in the Covenant by that State Party. It also provides for inter-state communication in case of not-fulfilling obligations under the Covenant by a State party. However, Bangladesh is yet to ratify the Protocol. The right to food is also recognized in other international instruments protecting specific groups, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). The right to food is also recognized in some regional instruments, such as the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, known as the Protocol of San Salvador (1988), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003). The CEDAW has a specific provision on women in rural areas, guaranteeing the rights of women to equal treatment, in particular, in land and agrarian reform as well as in land resettlement 29 General Comment, para 18.