Strategic Partnerships

The Ministry of Human Development, Families & Indigenous People’s Affairs is the lead entity of the Government of Belize in the development of people, enabling them to realize their full potential and play a meaningful role in their communities. In collaboration with all relevant partners, to facilitate policy development and to implement programmes that promote social justice and equity, enabling people to be self-sufficient, responsible and productive citizens

The Women’s Department continues to be one of the leading organizations in Belize dedicated to improving the lives of women. Since 1978, the Women’s Department has worked to empower women through a wide range of progressive initiatives including training classes for women, the promotion of public education in the schools, facilitating support groups and organizing community events to raise awareness about Domestic Violence and women’s issues.

The Belize Crime Observatory will serve as Belize’s national repository for the secure storage of comprehensive,multi-dimensional data relating to crime. Data stored by the Observatory is collected from relevant sources and processed to ensure it is fit for the creation of statistical analysis and outputs for a wide range of stakeholders.

The primary aim of the Belize Crime Observatory is to foster the development of public policies that address public safety and national security issues through the collection, analysis and dissemination of quality, timely and multidimensional data on crime and violence trends in the country. The BCO is an official point of reference at the national, regional and international level for comprehensive, relevant, and accurate data on crime and violence in Belize, including statistical and analytical information, as well as, primary and secondary research.

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An accredited member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR), is a not-for-profit organization, and the only non-government organization (NGO) in Belize that provides comprehensive clinical, non-clinical sexual and reproductive health services to the general population. Through a network of eight clinics/centers and a cadre of twenty-nine full-time and six part-time staff, the association ensures access to quality and confidential services to a cross section of the society, including youth from extremely difficult circumstances, survivors of gender-based violence, underserved population, women, men and other youth. As an Association committed to the development of the individual, the community and the country for the last 25 years, BFLA has strived to ensure the services provided are so designed to meet the clients' needs at a price affordable to them.

The Belize Police Department shall work in partnership with all communities in providing the highest quality of service through Community Policing and problem-solving strategies such as: seeking to reduce and prevent crime by employing Intelligence Led-Policing, effective investigation and prosecution of crimes and proactive and preventative patrol of our cities, towns and highways. aim to enhance the quality of life by creating safer neighborhoods, while maintaining the highest standard of integrity.

Founded in 1950 by Dr. Daniel Tenenbaum of Belmopan City Hospital. Previously it was part of the British Red Cross. It has its headquarters in Belize City. It is a Non-profit Organization, Community Organization, Foodservice Distributor to the community and the entire country in time of needs.

This is a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-government organization governed by the Steering Committee. Its main objectives are to provide a neutral, objective and multi-partisan space and forum for women to discuss, caucus and build consensus positions on issues and concerns that they consider important to the political, social and economic well-being of Belize through their lens; to build coalitions with a broad base of woman and women’s organizations nationally, regionally and international that have similar objectives; to educate the populace on the need for gender equality and men and women’s equal participation in decision-making processes both in the public and private arenas; to advocate for policy and legislative change to advance the cause of equality between women and man in the political and other decision-making processes; to build strong , constructive and sustainable relationships with woman elected and appointed officials at all level of political parties , government and in all sectors; to monitor government policies and programs that have implications to women’s participation in the political and decision-making processes and to the social and economic well-being of Belize; and to promote research, collect data and compile statistics, plan and implement programs and activities centered on increasing women participation in the political and other decision-making processes.

The Family Court was established in 1898 to keep pace with the ever growing social and legal needs of the family. It plays a vital role in keeping society together. It is responsible for the administration of justices for family and juvenile justice matters. The Family Court has dealt with thousands of cases over the years ranging from domestic violence, legal separation, custody, maintenance and juvenile offenders.

Is currently the only safe house for female survivors of domestic violence and their children in the Belize District. Opened in 1993, the shelter provides temporary housing for up to 21 days, counselling and legal advocacy for residents.

House of Dorcas is owned by a Women’s Group of Patchakan Village. The group of ladies uses the house as a training center for women and youth. They teach arts and crafts, sewing, earrings making among others. Beside skill training programs conducted, they also provide spiritual guidance to its members and members of the community. They are able to sustain the house through donation from abroad church members and other community organizations.

a shelter for battered women and their children. It is located in the Cayo District. It officially opened in 2008 but had functioned informally prior to that. The Mary Open Door office provides basic counselling, skills training and job placement for its clients.

Envision a national health care system which is based upon: equity, affordability, accessibility, quality, sustainability in effective partnership with all levels (sectors) of government and the rest of society in order to develop and maintain an environment conducive to health.

National Committee for Families and Children is a statutory body that is set up to oversee Belize’s compliance with its international, regional and national commitments to children and their families.

The National Council on Ageing (NCA) was officially established on 10th February 2003 ensuring the promotion, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Policy for Older Persons. It is a mechanism mandated by Cabinet through its approval of the National Policy for Older Persons. Advocating for and facilitate the development and implementation of plans and programmes which will ensure the protection of the basic human rights of Older Persons thereby improving and enhancing the quality of their lives.

NICH is Belize's premier cultural institution, we seek to help provide access to Belize’s cultural past, present and future… Belize’s premier cultural institution dedicated to creating an enabling environment for the development, conservation, promotion, expression and accessibility of culture in all its diversity.

The Office of the Special Envoy champions Belizean families and children, working primarily to advocate for and influence the development of social policies and legislation; advocate for the implementation of programs and initiatives that benefit children and families and promote their rights; collaborate with government and quasi government bodies to present projects seeking financial resources to support programs and initiatives, and engages in public awareness and education activities designed to sensitize the general public on issues affecting families and children.

Our Circle is a legally registered NGO which has been engaged in numerous community-driven initiatives aimed at mobilizing, educating, informing and supporting the LGBT community and LGBT families in Belize. From since 2013 we have been focused on: establishing an LGBT safe space, LGBT family education and awareness, organizational networking, and institutional capacity building. The Our Circle Resource Center provides a true home for the LGBT community, where all are welcome and all can access an ever-growing variety of programs, support services and ways to connect.

Productive Organization for Women in Action (POWA) is a community-based organization that began in 2003 in Dangriga Town. It grew out of the need for women to support other women in areas of Gender-based Violence, HIV/AIDs, Gender and Economic justice. In 2011, its youth arm called Girl POWA was created to focus on girls who are vulnerable to issues such as HIV and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). POWA girls participate collectively in POWA’s activities and along with members of POWA, receive extensive training in several areas, including HIV/AIDS and SRH education; community outreach; self-esteem; and assertiveness, and negotiation skills. They serve as Community Ambassadors in their neighbourhoods and the wider Dangriga community. Since February 2013, POWA manages the “Dangriga Cares” Center which serves as a safe place for community members to interact. Activities and services provided by POWA include Women Empowerment Sessions, Peer Leadership Program, Counselling Program, Legal Advice Services, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Child Abuse Prevention Program.

Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness for Lesbian and Bisexual Women (PETAL) was officially incorporated on December 29, 2015 as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. PETAL’s work, however, has spanned six years beginning in 2011 with several events held called “conversations” that have brought women together to discuss issues that impact them. Topics that have been covered in these conversations include cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence, healthy relationships, psycho-social support for women and legal issues impacting women in Belize among others. These events have been open primarily to women who identify as lesbian or bisexual women, but PETAL’s work is intended to benefit any woman who wishes to participate in our activities.

the advocacy & action platform which aims to tackle issues related to the health and well-being of women, adolescents & children in the Caribbean.

a non-profit organization, established to promote educational programs and empowerment opportunities for indigenous women.

The Belize YWCA opened in 1956 and has consistently provided a wide variety of services and programs to women of all ages. The facility currently offers a long list of programs including the Helping Early Leavers Program, a day care, ESL classes, aerobics and community education classes.

A non-government organization that provides training, support and education to teenage girls. YES, was founded in 1989 by the National Children’s Home in London and Barbados. CONTACT: 225-2315 The Women’ s Department would like to thank its partner agencies, civil society, the business community, international agencies, our volunteers and the general public for the support that continues to be given to the multi-sectoral effort to put women at the forefront of our agenda.