National women's Commission

Belize is confronting a growing crisis of child sexual abuse, with an alarming surge in high-profile and alarming cases prompting urgent calls for legislative reform and community action. Over the past year alone, more than 100 cases of unlawful sexual intercourse with minors have been officially reported, a figure experts believe significantly underrepresents the true extent of the issue. These troubling statistics have fueled public outrage and prompted widespread appeals for stronger legislation, increased enforcement, and more robust survivor support systems.

In a significant step forward for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Belize, the National Women’s Commission (NWC) officially inaugurated its new Board of Commissioners on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at a formal ceremony held at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City.

The Ministry of Investment, through its Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission, and the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs through the National Women’s Commission, launched the second training for the project, “Cell Phone Repair Training for Women in Belize.” This phase of the project is being hosted at the Cayo Centre for Employment Training.

On December 13, 2024, a workshop at the Sunbreeze Conference Room in San Pedro focused on Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) to end violence against women and children. Organized by The National Women’s Commission, this initiative is part of a broader campaign to address gender-based violence (GBV) by promoting behavioral changes among men and boys in the community. The workshop brought together various stakeholders, including local leaders, educators, and community members, to engage in discussions and activities designed to challenge existing norms and promote healthier relationships.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence commenced with a Flag-Raising Ceremony in San Pedro on November 22nd. The San Pedro Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Committee organized this event to raise awareness about the prevalence of gender-based violence in the community.

UNFPA delivered capacity building sessions on Gender Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) to key organizations with the main objective to support the establishment of a GBViE mechanism in Belize. Officers from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), Belize Institute of Search and Rescue Training (BISART), the Women and Family Support Department (WFS), the National Women's Commission (NWC) and the Belize Red Cross, who lead in the national response in emergencies, benefitted from a one day capacity building session, tailored to their specific role in the national response mechanism. In addition to this, a youth webinar was organized to engage the youth population on how volunteerism and outreach activities can support the efforts in addressing GBV in emergencies.

Belize started celebrating Women’s Day in the 1970s and now observes March as Women’s Month. The aim is to celebrate women’s achievements, empower them, and combat gender bias while promoting awareness and equality. This year Women’s Month is being celebrated under the team “Inspire Inclusion, Count Her In” and will take a holistic approach towards women and girls, focusing on their social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

The National Women’s Commission (NWC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is proud to announce the successful launch of the Gender Equality and Diversity Seal in the workplace. The initiative marks a significant milestone in fostering equality and diversity within organizations in Belize.