Press Release

The Spotlight Initiative Hosts High Level Briefing to Review and Approve the Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Programme

16 August 2021

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE, AUGUST 16, 2021 – The Spotlight Initiative today welcomed Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, Hon. Oscar Mira, along with their senior personnel, at High Level Briefing that reviewed the newly formulated Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response (JSVPR) Programme. This briefing was part of a formal review and finalization process before an official launch and roll out in September 2021 that will take place within the Belize Security Forces (Belize Defence Force, Belize Police Department and Belize Coast Guard).

The development of the JSVPR Programme forms part of Belize’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the UN Spotlight Initiative. It will respond to ending violence against women by reducing sexual assault within the Belize Security Forces and providing response services when sexual violence occurs. It will focus on prevention strategies, supporting victim recovery and assisting victims in Belize Security Forces to be fully mission capable and engaged.

Also present at the Information Session was UNICEF Country Representative Ms Alison Parker, UNICEF. Photos can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWqvhDg

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About the Spotlight Initiative:

The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of family violence and VAWG embarked by the European Union and the United Nations. The initiative is implementing activities that strengthen policy and legislation to increase the protection of women and girls, build the capacity of state and non-state actors to respond to family violence, expand the range of services available, and address social norms and behaviours that promote violence against women and girls. The modality for the delivery in Belize is with the support of the Government of Belize, EU, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Recipient United Nations Organizations (RUNOs) – UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF – with the support of UN Associate Agencies – UN Women, ILO, PAHO/WHO, UNHCR, and OCHCR.

English