Belize lauded for advancing women and girls' right to education

Belize has been praised by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for advancing the right of women and girls to education. The Committee, which consists of 23 international experts on women's rights, monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and reviews progress made by countries in fulfilling their obligations under the treaty. 

Alongside the commendation, Committee experts reviewing Belize's combined fifth to ninth periodic reports on implementation of the treaty, also raised concerns about women's and girls' access to healthcare in Belize and the prevalence of gender-based violence, particularly in relation to gang activity.

One Committee member praised Belize's efforts to improve access to education for women and girls, notably through the creation of the Belize Education Upliftment Programme, launched to improve access to education for students from low-income households. The introduction of compulsory psychosocial support sessions for children aged five and six was also highlighted as a positive step for its role in boosting emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and positive behaviours — all traits that support building healthy relationships.

The Committee also registered its deep concern about the prevalence of gender-based violence in Belize, noting its connection to high levels of insecurity, proliferation of firearms, and gang warfare. About 65 per cent of murdered women and girls in Belize are victims of gender-related killings or femicide, with half of these murders committed using firearms.

The Belizean delegation, led by Elvia Vega-Samos, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, acknowledged these challenges, outlining measures being taken to combat gun violence and drug trafficking, including enhanced policing efforts and outreach programmes targeting vulnerable youth. 

While the Committee further commended Belize for removing fees in public hospitals and deciding to waive taxes on feminine hygiene products, experts inquired about adolescent pregnancy rates and the government's efforts to address this issue, as well as measures to ensure safe access to sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion services.

CEDAW was established by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Belize, having ratified the Convention in 1990, is one of the 189 state parties legally obligated to implement the treaty's provisions and is subject to regular review by CEDAW.