National women's Commission

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.

As per the Belize Crime Observatory, gender-based violence has been increasing since 2021 and remains a vital issue in the National Gender Policy, seeking to end acts of violence affecting women and girls. To further raise awareness on this issue, the National Women's Commission (NWC) is championing a move dubbed the Social and Behaviour Communication Campaign (SBCC) to spread the message of the need to change people's way of socializing and how they deal with differences. The campaign reached San Pedro Town on Thursday, August 24th, and presenters of the sensitization strategy engaged a group of island stakeholders at a session held at the Grand Caribe Resort, where vital information was shared.

On Wednesday, August 16th, the ‘Know Yuh Rights’ lecture series, a nationwide campaign to better understand the Belize Constitution, occurred at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town. The public event is an ongoing effort by the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) to present a comprehensive review of the Belize Constitution, consult the population, obtain feedback, and submit a final report on the findings to the Prime Minister. At the end of the process, the National Assembly will decide if Belizeans must move to repeal or amend the current Constitution.

The Ministry of Investment held the closing ceremony for Belize’s Vanilla Cultivation Pilot Project at the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College (CEMJC) in the Corozal District.

During the briefing, Cabinet affirmed its policy decision that no surface mining (strip, open put, mountain top) or any other type of mining activity in the Gales Point Manatee area shall be permitted having regard to the surrounding communities' concerns and given the threats and damages it may cause to the environment, including its extensive and sensitive biodiversity, watershed and other immense ecological systems.

On Thursday, August 11th, a meeting was held in San Pedro Town involving island stakeholders to discuss a national plan in the ongoing efforts to create greater awareness regarding gender-based violence. This issue continues to be a serious matter across the country, and San Pedro is no exception. The possibility of opening a mobile women's center on the island to help the vulnerable was also discussed in the discussion held at the San Pedro Town Council conference room.

The National Women's Commission informs that Mrs. Thea Garcia-Ramirez is the delegate representing Belize at the Organization of American States (OAS) 39th Assembly of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) held at the headquarters of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) Panama from May 25th to the 26th, 2022.

Two island women were recognized for their contributions to society at the annual Outstanding Women’s Awards. Islander Ana Najarro, affectionately known as ‘Anita,’ was awarded by the National Women’s Commission for her outstanding community service to San Pedro Town. While Lieutenant Commander in the Belize Coast Guard, Alma Pinelo, is presently training in the Republic of China (Taiwan), was recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Woman of the Year.