Source: United Nations – Geneva
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the combined fifth to ninth periodic report of Belize, with Committee Experts commending the State for advancing education for women and girls, while raising questions on gender-based violence in the context of gang warfare and on access to healthcare for women and girls.
A Committee Expert commended the State party for advancing the rights of women and girls to education, including through the creation of the Belize Education Upliftment Programme launched to improve access to education for students from low-income households. Additionally, the Committee commended the State party for introducing compulsory psychosocial support sessions for children aged five and six, aimed at building their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and positive behaviours for building relationships.
Another Expert said the pervasive gender-based violence in Belize needed to be considered in the context of high levels of insecurity, and of proliferation of firearms and their possession and use by criminal networks and armed gangs. About 65 per cent of women and girls who were murdered were victims of gender-related murders or femicide, and 50 per cent of these murders were committed with firearms. What measures would the State party undertake to guarantee quality support services for women survivors of gender-based violence? Another Expert said gang warfare had impacted many women in Belize, including putting them at risk of gender-based violence. How did the Government ensure services for gang-impacted women?
A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated that the Government had removed all fees in public hospitals and was very impressed at the recent decision to waive all taxes on female sanitary products. Could statistics on minor girls’ pregnancies and births be provided? What did the State party plan to do to fight the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy? It was concerning that abortion was only permitted in a few circumstances. Did the State party plan to change its criminal law so women and girls could safely access services to terminate unplanned pregnancy? Could statistics on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS be provided? Was radiotherapy, including for breast cancer, still not available in the country?
The delegation said Belize was carrying out measures to tackle gun violence and drug imports, including through daily policing efforts and conducting regular border checks. There was a close connection between gangs, drugs and guns. Significant work was being done to reach out to vulnerable communities and youth, guiding them away from guns. Interventions and mediations between rival groups was carried out to enhance the security of citizens. Efforts had been made to strengthen reporting around gender-based violence and gun violence. While the data was available, there needed to be further analysis. The State would focus efforts on this.
The delegation said Belize had taken steps to address the legal and procedural barriers in women’s health services, particularly in regard to access to medical termination of pregnancy. The Government had invested over 200,000 USD in providing contraceptives. Mobile health clinics continued to be implemented within all villages. Mothers received counselling before contraceptives were provided, ensuring informed decision-making. The Government recognised the challenges faced by women in accessing comprehensive cancer care, including the lack of radiotherapy, requiring travelling abroad. Radiotherapy was not feasible for in-country infrastructure, and the Government therefore aimed to provide support and financial aid to women requiring these services. In 2023, Belize eliminated woman to child transmission of HIV and syphilis, which was a landmark medical achievement.
Introducing the report, Elvia Vega Samos, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of Belize and head of the delegation, said the National Gender Policy 2024–2030 represented a landmark achievement in Belize’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, providing a comprehensive framework addressing gender-responsive healthcare, education, economic empowerment, institutional strengthening, women’s leadership, and the elimination of gender-based violence. While these achievements demonstrated progress, challenges persisted, including constraints in adequately staffing and retaining professionals in key gender and social service sectors, as well as insufficient investments and funding.
In closing remarks, Ms. Vega Samos expressed sincere appreciation for the meaningful dialogue. Belize was proud of the progress made. However, the State recognised that challenges remained, particularly when addressing gender-based violence, inequality and the disproportionate impact of climate change.
In her closing remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, thanked Belize for the constructive dialogue which had provided further insight into the situation of women in the country.
The delegation of Belize was comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the National Women’s Commission.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninetieth session is being held from 3 to 21 February. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.
The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 February to begin its consideration of the eighth periodic report of Congo (CEDAW/C/COG/8).
Report
The Committee has before it the combined fifth to ninth periodic report of Belize (CEDAW/C/BLZ/5-9).
Presentation of Report
ELVIA VEGA SAMOS, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of Belize and head of the delegation, said since the last review, Belize had made significant progress in advancing legal protections and rights for women and girls, including through the enactment of the National Women’s Commission Act in 2023, which formalised the Commission’s role in advancing gender equality and ensuring alignment with the principles of the Convention.
Other key pieces of legislation included the Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Act, which addressed gaps in access to justice and enhanced protections for survivors of gender-based violence; the passage of the Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2024, which raised the legal age of marriage to 18 and prohibited parental consent for minors to marry; a revised and stronger Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, which strengthened workplace protections against harassment; amendments to the Married Women’s Property Act, which expanded women’s economic rights; the Disabilities Act, which reinforced the rights of women and girls with disabilities; the Cybercrime Act 2021, which offered additional legal protections for women and girls in digital spaces; and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2013, which addressed labour and sex trafficking and forced marriage.
Belize had also acceded to the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of older women.
The National Gender Policy 2024–2030 represented a landmark achievement in Belize’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, providing a comprehensive framework addressing gender-responsive healthcare, education, economic empowerment, institutional strengthening, women’s leadership, and the elimination of gender-based violence.
Belize had developed and implemented gender-based violence multisectoral protocols alongside the gender-based violence referral mechanism and pathway, improving collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare providers, legal aid services, and social support agencies, and ensuring more timely and effective interventions. Gender-based violence hotlines now provided 24/7 crisis assistance, using multiple modalities such as regular calls, SMS, and WhatsApp. Belize had also advanced efforts to improve gender-based violence data collection, coordination, and reporting efficiency through the integrated data collection and reporting system.
Belize continued to make progress in increasing women’s representation in leadership across various sectors, strengthening governance and fostering inclusive policies. Promoting gender parity remained a national priority. Women now accounted for 22 per cent of Belize’s National Assembly, the highest representation in the country’s history. The establishment of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in 2023 was a powerful step forward in creating an inclusive and equitable legislative environment, acting as a formal platform to discuss gender related issues, addressing legislative gaps, advocating for policy changes, and promoting women’s leadership.
Training programmes under the engaging men and boys initiative had fostered community dialogues and challenged harmful gender norms, supporting women’s participation in leadership roles. Women led major judicial and prosecutorial offices, including the naming of an acting female Chief Justice in 2019 and the appointment of a female Chief Justice in 2022.
The State had intensified efforts to enhance women’s economic participation through targeted initiatives and policy reforms. Over 1,000 women had received training in business strategy, digital skills, and entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Belize Women’s Economic Empowerment Project. The Decent Work Country Programme, launched in 2024, focused on women’s economic empowerment through skills training, labour rights awareness, and access to financial resources. Programmes such as BOOST (Building Opportunities for our Social Transformation) addressed multidimensional poverty and supported female-headed households through targeted cash transfers and vocational training.
Belize had made strides in integrating gender-sensitive approaches into education, including introducing a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math Academy to encourage girls’ participation in high-income careers. Comprehensive sexuality education had been integrated into the National Health Curriculum to address social norms and promote gender equality, and programmes targeting school dropout rates among girls due to early pregnancies or child marriage had been initiated, ensuring continuity in education for young mothers.
While these achievements demonstrated progress, challenges persisted, including constraints in adequately staffing and retaining professionals in key gender and social service sectors, as well as insufficient investments and funding. Gender-based violence remained prevalent, with Belize recording a five per cent increase in domestic violence cases in 2023. The National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and its accompanying behavioural change communication campaign, “it ends with me,” aimed to challenge harmful norms and reduce violence against women and girls.
As a small island developing State, Belize faced disproportionate impacts of climate change, which heightened vulnerabilities for women, particularly in rural and indigenous communities. The National Climate Change Gender Action Plan addressed these intersecting challenges, promoting resilience and adaptation strategies. Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex persons faced compounded barriers to accessing justice, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Initiatives like the Essential Services Package for Women Subject to Violence ensured holistic support for marginalised groups.
The Government of Belize remained steadfast in its dedication to fully realising gender equality. The roadmap for the future included expanding access to gender-responsive social services; enhancing data systems to ensure evidence-based policymaking; strengthening partnerships with civil society, development partners, and international organizations; advocating for removing of cultural and structural barriers that hindered women’s full participation; promoting initiatives targeting young women and girls; and strengthening the legislative framework. Ms. Vega Samos reaffirmed Belize’s commitment to the Convention and welcomed the Committee’s recommendations.
Questions by Committee Experts
RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Vice-Chair and Country Rapporteur for Belize, said the dialogue was taking place in a context of extensive gang and gun violence linked to narco-trafficking which affected Belize and the wider Caribbean and Central America. What had been the implications of this for women’s rights and gender equality, and what were the State’s efforts in this regard? In 1990, Belize signed and ratified the Convention and in 2002, it acceded to its Optional Protocol, one of only three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to do so. Unfortunately, there were reservations on articles 8 and 9, which removed access to the inquiry mechanism of the Optional Protocol, reducing its efficacy for Belizean women and Girls. Would the State party reconsider the reservations on articles 8 and 9 of the Optional Protocol to ensure the expansion of rights for Belizean women and girls?
Ms. Reddock commended the State party on developments since the last dialogue in 2007, including the 2011 amendment of the Labour Act Ch 297 to protect workers from unfair dismissal and unequal treatment due to pregnancy, HIV status, or filing a sexual harassment complaint; the 2013 Criminal Code amendments to strengthen penalties for sexual crimes; the 2016 decriminalisation of same sex unions; and in April 2023 – a waiver of general sales tax on feminine hygiene products, which was very important. However, the Committee remained concerned, at the lack of implementation of many of the important laws and mechanisms.
What mechanisms were in place to monitor and evaluate impact, and report on progress in the implementation of the new laws and mechanisms? In 2023, Belize enacted the Legal Aid Act to ensure legal assistance to improve access to justice. What was its implementation status?
Were there plans to domesticate the Convention into local legislation to ensure the applicability of all its provisions? Did the State party plan to incorporate indigenous rights into the Constitution or specific national legislation? Ms. Reddock commended the State party on the 2018 Gender Equality Protocol for Judicial Officers, and efforts to enhance the capacity of Magistrates Courts and the Family Court to enhance protection for women and girls. What had been the impact of these new legal mechanisms in improving access to justice for women and girls in rural and urban communities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Belize retained its reservations to articles 8 and 9 but recognised the importance of accessing mechanisms for redress. Where allegations arose concerning the matters covered under the Convention, the State held that mechanisms could be established to ensure due process and accountability, within the country’s legal framework.
The National Women’s Commission provided ongoing education and support to women and girls. It also encompassed workshops, roundtables and community affairs. Special legal clinics were held twice a year targeting vulnerable populations.
As part of the process of the implementation of the laws, the National Women’s Commission was positioned as the policy and advisory arm in this regard and was supporting in terms of the implementation. The Commission took the lead in terms of advocacy and promoting the acts. There were also national gender and gender-based violence committees, comprised of members of Governments, non-governmental organizations and other partners, that also provided advocacy support and advice on the implementation of the laws. The State understood that more needed to be done to improve the monitoring and reporting in this regard.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert congratulated Belize on the steps taken to transform the National Women’s Commission into an independent body, as well as steps taken to improve the Sub-Committees. What percentage of the budget of the institutions was covered from the regular budget of the State party, and what percentage depended on external financing? What steps were being taken to guarantee the participation of indigenous women in the drafting and assessment of policies which concerned them? When would Belize have a national human rights institution in place which was in line with the Paris Principles?
Another Expert said women faced persistent challenges during the reporting period, regarding the electoral process. The 2021 municipal elections marked significant progress with 22 per cent of female members of parliament, but this was far below the level of parity. When would the State party impose a gender quota for increasing the political participation of women? Would the State party consider adopting temporary special measures to increase access to education for rural women and girls?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said 60 per cent of the budget of the National Women’s Commission was provided by the Government while 40 per cent was provided by external funding. A roadmap had been approved for transforming the Office of the Ombudsman into the National Human Rights Institution, which was currently under implementation. There was no specific timeline, but a process was underway to expand the mandate of the Ombudsman and ensure the sustainability of the Human Rights Commission. A Committee, consisting of representatives of the Government, civil society, and academic and international partners was monitoring this process. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had offered technical capacity building in this regard.
Belize had a Women’s Parliamentary Caucus with a strategic plan. The State would continue to undertake advocacy and ensure changes were made to ensure more women were involved in politics at the higher level.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said research showed that half of the women in Belize experienced violence at some point in their life. Early marriages and unions still existed as a harmful practice. How would the State party ensure the monitoring of measures of tackling harmful gender stereotypes and cultural practices? The State party was commended for legislation and policy measures to combat gender-based violence. Despite these important steps, women and girls continued to be the main victims of both domestic and sexual violence, with 99 per cent of the victims of sexual violence being females.
The pervasive gender-based violence in Belize needed to be considered in the context of high levels of insecurity, and of proliferation of firearms and their possession and use by criminal networks and armed gangs. About 65 per cent of women and girls who were murdered were victims of gender-related murders or femicide, and 50 per cent of these murders were committed with firearms. What measures would the State party undertake to guarantee quality support services for women survivors of gender-based violence? Did the State party provide support to women’s non-governmental organizations which provided these services? How many shelters existed?
Was the practice of mobile women’s centres maintained? How many centres were available in rural and indigenous communities? What programmes were in place for controlling and eliminating the provision of weapons? What was the timeline for explicitly including the crime of femicide within the Penal Code?
Another Expert commended the State party for legal reforms in trafficking; however, no new prosecutions had been enacted within the last two years. What would be done to improve judicial efficiency? How would the State party ensure adequate sentencing in line with the severity of the crime? What was the timeline for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Trafficking? Would the State party allocate adequate resources to shelters for victim assistance?
Could information be provided on the new labour policy? What was being done to provide oversight on labour recruitment? How would Belize enhance victim identification and screening processes, including in groups such as Cuban medical workers? What actions did the State party take to address the trafficking and exploitation of Mayan girls? What was being done to prevent the sexual exploitation of children in tourist regions? How was the Government addressing the involvement of international actors in these crimes? What measures was the Government taking to address the underground nature of sex trafficking since the pandemic?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the engagement of the men and boys programme began in 2020 and involved men and boys as advocates. Men from all facets of society were trained all over the country, including from indigenous populations. Around 1,000 men and boys had been trained, and many more had expressed willingness to be involved in the programme. Uniformed services participated in the training and masculinity and femininity were key components of the training programme. The State was aiming to establish a national shelter strategy to cater to the different types of shelters necessary, to provide short- and long-term care, including emergency services.
The work of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council had been to strengthen overall operations and ability to convict. There had not been programmes which strategically targeted vulnerable groups. However, campaigns were being promulgated in rural and hard-to-reach areas to support victims and survivors.
In 2023 and 2024, there were 10 women killed as a result of femicide. The State needed a multisectoral analysis approach; this was currently a weak area which needed to be improved.
Gender training was provided at the Police Academy as part of the training requirements for police.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said the number of women candidates at the last elections was very low, at 14.8 per cent. In view of the upcoming elections this year, were there any concrete measures planned to increase the number of women in parliament? What were the plans and strategies of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus? How was it resourced?
The high number of women working in the judiciary in Belize was impressive and should be seen as an example for other countries. The current Governor-General of Belize was a woman; the first indigenous governor-general from the Americas in the Commonwealth. The Committee also welcomed the new gender policy which looked to advance women in politics and government. What measures were being taken to implement goal number five of the gender policy? Who was responsible for implementing the activity? How would the Government strengthen women’s advocacy groups? Could more information be provided about the representation of women, including indigenous women, in Belize’s diplomatic services? What was the percentage of women running in the 2025 elections?
Another Expert asked how stateless determination procedures were implemented in Belize? What kind of advocacy programmes were being developed in regard to birth registration? What plans were there to enhance birth registration processes, particularly for migrant women?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the implementation of the gender policy was the responsibility of all organizations which provided gender and gender-based violence services. The National Women’s Commission was responsible for the monitoring of the gender policy. Advocacy groups continued to be a treasured partner of the Government and were included in the trainings and in areas where legislation would be passed. Two indigenous forums had been hosted by women and girls to determine areas which needed improvement. Access to health, affordability of health care services and education were key issues which continued to be raised.
There had been a lot of work relating to birth registration, with key international partners, and numerous mobile clinics rolled out in this regard. In 2023, thousands of births were documented because of the mobile units. There had been a good uptake in the clinics to ensure there were no barriers in terms of access for indigenous persons due to language.
Thirty rural communities had benefitted from registration campaigns. Special efforts were made to reach indigenous and Mayan communities and migrant populations. There was a strong network on the ground for people who required support.
Questions by a Committee Expert
A Committee Expert commended the State party for advancing the rights of women and girls to education, including through the creation of the Belize Education Upliftment Programme launched to improve access to education for students from low-income households. Additionally, the Committee commended the State party for introducing compulsory psychosocial support sessions for children aged five and six, aimed at building their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and positive behaviours for building relationships.
What concrete actions was the State party taking to increase enrolment rates and address teen pregnancies in schools. What was being done to support the physical and mental wellbeing of adolescent mothers to support their re-enrolment in school? Could information about the school meal programme be provided? How were nutritional standards being introduced in schools? How was it ensured that nutritious meals were provided at schools? How did the State party ensure the physical and mental safety of girls at school, as well as in the online sphere?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the State was committed to ensuring the continuation of education for all, including girls who became pregnant. The “lead like a girl” forum occurred every year, involving 100 high schools around the country whose students competed in challenges, before launching the “lead like a girl” pledge. Efforts were being made to provide nutritious meal options in schools. There was a zero-tolerance approach to bullying within the school environment and continued efforts were in place to strengthen legislation in this regard.
The child marriage and early union strategy was in place, and a data profile had been developed to understand the state of this phenomenon within the country. The Marriage Act had been amended to increase the age of marriage from 16 to 18. Specific institutional policies were being developed for schools in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and community education was promoted.
Recently, a master’s degree in social work had been launched from the University of Belize, and other approaches for strengthening social work were also in progress.
Questions by a Committee Expert
A Committee Expert commended the State party for its progress in labour and employment, including a decline in the unemployment rate and an increase in the minimum wage across all categories. However, persistent gender disparities remained in the labour force, with women’s participation at around 43 per cent compared to men’s 69 per cent, largely due to domestic and care giving responsibilities. Could the State party elaborate on the decent work programme? What strategies were in place to increase female workforce participation? What measures had been implemented to challenge gender norms which designated unpaid domestic work as a woman’s responsibility?
What was the current status of the equal opportunities bill and what were the next steps for its advancement? What was being done to enhance the national health insurance system? Was the State party considering accession to the International Labour Organization Convention 189? What specific measures were being implemented to accelerate the reduction of the gender pay gap? The Committee welcomed the new sexual harassment bill endorsed by the Cabinet in 2024. What was its current status and what mechanisms were in place for its implementation?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there was a particular focus on vulnerable women, and all efforts within the Ministry had been mobilised in that direction. There was only a small percent of people covered by social security schemes, and the State was aiming to increase participation through targeted outreach and involvement in the social protection scheme. Two cohorts had been tested and piloted which were inclusive of direct training and employment services. The State was aiming to include elements such as free or subsided day care as part of the services provided.
There was increased access to education and skills training for women, particularly those in rural and indigenous areas. The State was looking at financial incentives for female entrepreneurs to decrease their dependence on low paying jobs. Environmental and social safeguards were being put in place to cater to indigenous communities and their livelihoods.
Questions by a Committee Expert
A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated that the Government had removed all fees in public hospitals and was very impressed at the recent decision to waive all taxes on female sanitary products. Could statistics on minor girls’ pregnancies and births be provided? What did the State party plan to do to fight the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy? It was concerning that abortion was only permitted in a few circumstances. Did the State party plan to change its criminal law that so women and girls could safely access services to terminate unplanned pregnancy?
Were contraceptives subsidised by the State? If so, which ones and to what extent? What awareness campaigns were planned to enhance safe reproduction health literacy in Belize, especially to address issues such as unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted diseases? Could statistics on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS be provided? Was radiotherapy, including for breast cancer, still not available in the country? What steps were being taken to address maternal mortality? What were the main challenges in ensuring equitable access to health care services for elderly women?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Belize had taken steps to address the legal and procedural barriers in women’s health services, particularly in regard to access to medical termination of pregnancy. It was important to ensure parents, individuals and schools received the required information, and that contraception was accessible. The Government had invested over 200,000 USD in providing contraceptives. Mobile health clinics continued to be used within all villages. Mothers received counselling before contraceptives were provided, ensuring informed decision-making. Additional measures were being taken to improve the emergency response for survivors of sexual violence.
The Government recognised the challenges faced by women in accessing comprehensive cancer care, including the lack of radiotherapy, requiring travelling abroad. Radiotherapy was not feasible for in-country infrastructure, and the Government therefore aimed to provide support and financial aid to women requiring these services. There were oncology centres in different parts of the country. Human papillomavirus screening was available to women aged 30 to 49 and human papillomavirus vaccines were administered to adolescents, reducing the risk of cervical cancer to future generations.
An estimated 3,700 people were living with HIV in Belize, with the majority of them being males. In 2023, Belize eliminated woman to child transmission of HIV and syphilis, which was a landmark medical achievement.
When a pregnancy posed a risk to the life of the woman, medical termination was legally allowed. It was also allowed to preserve the mental and physical health of the woman, in cases of rape or incest, and in cases of foetal abnormality. Abortion was an area which was under consideration by the Government.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed the revised national gender policy, and its establishment of five priority areas. Was there gender-awareness training for loan officers? What training had been undertaken to increase women’s financial literacy? What social protections existed for self-employed women? What measures existed to ensure girls and women in rural areas enjoyed equal opportunity to participate in sports recreationally and professionally?
Another Expert said Belize contributed less than 0.001 per cent of global emissions, and was a model of the blue economy, which should be congratulated. What was the leadership role of women in the sustainable use of oceans, including women scientists in marine biology? Gang warfare had impacted many women in Belize, including putting them at risk of gender-based violence. How did the Government ensure services for gang-impacted women? How were the laws of gender-based violence made culturally specific for rural women?
What was the policy of Mayan women’s consent for companies to operate on Mayan land? The Mayans of Toledo lived in close proximity to land where logging had been permitted. What efforts was the State party taking to secure the land rights of the Mayan women? How many female sex workers were incarcerated? Would the State consider decriminalising prostitution? It was hoped that the State would consider some of the archaic language used in certain laws. What was the timeframe for the adoption of the Older Persons Act?
RHODA REDDOCK, Vice-Chair and Country Rapporteur for Belize, asked if there was recognition of the special needs of women in detention, particularly regarding childbirth? Would the State consider implementing the Bangkok Rules?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Belize’s investment and climate action plan aimed at addressing several financial barriers for female entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas. Measures taken included mentorship programmes, capacity building initiatives, and financial literacy training. The plan mandated that 50 per cent of the training budgets be allocated to women entrepreneurs. The programme also encouraged financial institutions to increase small and medium enterprise lending. These measures collectively aimed to level the playing field, enabling women to access and maximise credit resources for sustainable business success.
The sports policy for 2025 highlighted areas in the expansion of sports, but the investment in women’s infrastructure needed to be reflected, including support for female athletes and the prevention of gender-based violence in sports. Part of the work of indigenous peoples’ affairs was to ensure that the consent of Mayan women was provided. The social policy took aging into consideration.
Belize was carrying out measures to tackle gun violence and drug imports, including through daily policing efforts and conducting regular border checks. There was a close connection between gangs, drugs and guns, and significant work was being carried out to reach out to vulnerable communities and youth, guiding them away from guns. Interventions and mediations between rival groups was carried out to enhance the security of citizens.
Belize had embraced the 30 per cent quotas but the Government now needed to implement these. It was hoped the State would eventually reach fifty-fifty parity. It was currently on paper, but the tangible changes were not yet being seen.
Efforts had been made to strengthen reporting around gender-based violence and gun violence. While the data was available, there needed to be further analysis. The State would focus efforts on this.
The State would look at the Bangkok Rules as an additional standard which could also be pursued.
Questions by a Committee Expert
A Committee Expert commended Belize for the steps taken to finetune its legal framework in the sphere of family relationships, including the new law on family and childhood and the new law on married persons. What were the most significant proposals contained in these draft laws? In what way did judges incorporate a gender perspective in cases of family violence? Were there any limitations based on women in care work when it came to inheriting from their deceased husbands?
What was being done to eradicate early and de facto unions? How was the Government engaging with ethnicities in rural areas in this regard? Would the State recognise same sex marriages and de facto unions going forward? What was being done with the general public, particularly men, to raise awareness about early unions?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Belize had recently increased the age of marriage to 18, with no exceptions. The courts looked at the best interests of the child, and ensured there was engagement of both parents in their parental ability, and also took into account the risk of harm to the child. There had been some recent work done in terms of inheritance and division of assets. Recognising same sex marriages was part of the continued work being undertaken by the Government. The child marriage and early union strategy aimed to work with young people to understand the implications of early unions, and the type of support available for them.
The State had engaged pastors and leaders when drawing up the child marriage bill, as they had been the ones responsible for marrying young girls. It was one thing to change the law, but another to change hearts and minds. The Government was striving to implement educational strategies, using the media, social media and posters, to foster behavioural change.
Closing Remarks
ELVIA VEGA SAMOS, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of Belize and head of the delegation, expressed sincere appreciation for the meaningful dialogue. Belize was proud of the progress made. However, the State recognised that challenges remained, particularly when addressing gender-based violence, inequality and the disproportionate impact of climate change. The journey towards gender equality was ongoing, and Ms. Vega Samos thanked all those who had assisted Belize so far in strengthening human rights.
NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, thanked Belize for the constructive dialogue which had provided further insight into the situation of women in the country.
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