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The National Women's Commission of Belize

Who Are We?Our MandateOrganogramMembersSecretariatCommittees

Who Are We?

Established in 1982, the National Women’s Commission of Belize (NWC) serves as an advisory body to the Government on issues relating to women.  

Its establishment was a part of an overall effort of the Government to meet a series of international commitments, commencing in 1975 when Belize participated in the United Nations First World Conference on Women (held in Mexico City), to improve the situation of the nation’s women and girls.

In 1990, Belize both signed and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  This international ‘Bill of Rights’ for women sets standards and principles for the enjoyment of all civil, political, economic, cultural, and social rights.

group photo of board of commissioners and secretariat of the National Women's Commission of Belize

Our Mandate

Specifically, the National Women’s Commission has the mandate to:

  • Serve as a strategic advisory body to the minister with responsibility for women and gender issues and to advocate for the fulfillment of the standards, principles, and goals embodied within the Convention (CEDAW), the National Gender Policy, the National Gender-based Violence Action Plan, and other relevant policies.
  • Serve as a national advocate on issues related to the upgrading of the situation of women and girls and to advocate on matters regarding compliance with, or implementation of, the Convention, the National Gender Policy, and other relevant policies as they relate to government ministries, institutions, and entities, etc.
  • Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the provisions of the Convention and ensure national submission of the Belize progress report to the UN Committee every four years.
  • Promote public awareness and encourage effective and efficient planning and coordination efforts among relevant stakeholders on matters relating to gender equality, equity, and women’s empowerment.
  • Ensure that the appropriate implementation agencies undertake specific initiatives and tasks related to the implementation of the Convention, the National Gender Policy, the National Gender-based Violence Action Plan, and other relevant policies.
  • Recommend, through the minister, improvements in and development of national policies and legislation within the framework of the Convention, the National Gender Policy, the National Gender-based Violence Action Plan, and other relevant policies.

Members

The commission shall be comprised of members appointed by the Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s.

  • Membership shall be appointed for a term of two years, with the possibility of being re-appointed.
  • Membership will include technical experts in the major thematic areas of intervention as outlined in the Convention, the National Gender Policy, and other relevant policies.
  • Members shall serve in their capacity as commissioned by the Minister and not as delegates or representatives of organizations, institutions, or groups, with the exception of the member representing Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Profile Picture of Thea Garcia Ramirez - President of the Board of Commissioners for National Women's Commission of Belize
Thea Garcia Ramirez
President of the Board of Commissioners
General Manager, Belize Airport Authority
Profile picture of Marissa Yasmin Cervantes Martin, Vice President of Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Marissa Yasmin Cervantes Martin
Vice President of the Board of Commissioners
Manager, San Isidro Construction Center
Profile Picture of Pastora Castillo - Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners for National Women's Commission of Belize
Pastora Castillo
Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners
Profile picture of Dorla Marie Vaughan J.P, Secretary of the Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Dorla Marie Vaughan J.P
Secretary of the Board of Commissioners
Former PUP Area Rep, Mesopotamia Division
Manager / Owner, Black Pearl Carnival Band
Profile picture of Wendy Cabral-Williams, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Wendy Cabral-Williams
Board of Commissioners
Teacher, Stella Maris School for the Deaf
Profile picture of Chelsea Cruz, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Chelsea Cruz
Board of Commissioners
Volunteer, Mary Open Doors
Volunteer, Cornerstone Foundation
Profile picture of Dr. Lesly Perez Ceron, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Dr. Lesly Perez Ceron
Board of Commissioners
Founder, Guardian Angel Foster Home
OBGYN in Private Practice
Profile picture of Kristina Romero, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Kristina Romero
Board of Commissioners
Director of Operations, Hope Haven Children’s Home and Empowerment Center
Profile picture of Aurelia Cal, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Aurelia Cal
Board of Commissioners
Accounting Lecturer, University of Belize
profile picture of Anthony Sabal, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission Belize
Anthony Sabal
Board of Commissioners
Former Dean, of S/C Ecumenical Junior College
Profile picture of Major Jonathan Kellman, Board of Commissioners at National Women's Commission of Belize
Major Jonathan Kellman
Board of Commissioners
Minister of Religion, The Salvation Army
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Ashanti Arthurs Martin
Board of Commissioners
profile picture for Geovanni Brackett
Geovanni Brackett
Board of Commissioners

The Secretariat

The commission shall be supported by a secretariat headed by an executive director. The commission may contract the services of other staff and technical experts as required for its effective and efficient operation.

Profile Picture of Eleanor Murillo, programme officer at National Women's Commission of Belize
Eleanor Murillo
Programme Officer
December 2016

"It is honourable to have compassion and integrity and treat all human beings with utmost respect and dignity."

Profile Picture of Halima Santos, Administrative Assistant at National Women's Commission of Belize
Halima Santos
Administrative Assistant
October 2016

"Let your day always start with self-confidence, it is the best outfit."

Committees of the NWC

National Gender and Gender-based Violence Committee

Primary functions include:

  • Harmonize referral and response processes among institutions.
  • Coordinate District implementation of the NGP and the NGBVAP through the District Committees, government Ministries and other agencies.
  • Identify and respond to emerging issues in the areas of gender equality and gender-based violence.

The National Committee is chaired by the National Women’s Commission and comprised of organizations and not individuals who must work within the area of gender equality and gender-based violence named below:

  • Ministry of Human Development
  • Women and Family Support Department
  • Ministry of National Security
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Education
  • Department of Youth Services
  • UN Organizations (one member representing UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP)
  • Magistracy
  • Ombudsman Office
  • NCFC
  • Belize Network of NGOs
  • Community Based Organizations

District Gender and Gender-based Violence Committee

Primary functions include:

  • Provide leadership, accountability, and institutional coordination at the district level
  • Identify gaps in services and resources at the local level, develop and implement local level strategies to address these needs.
  • Serve as a support group and a forum for interagency coordination to address challenges, coordinate resources to provide effective responses to GBV particularly in rural areas.

Composed of the same organizations above at the national level, District Committees elect an Executive body to lead from amongst themselves to fill the roles of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary.

Gender Focal Point Committee

The Gender Focal Point Committee (GFPC) is a sub-committee of the National Gender and Gender Based Violence Committee (NGGBVC). The sub-committee will support the overall responsibility of the NGGBVC for the efficient and effective implementation of the National GenderPolicy (NGP) and the National Gender Based Violence Plan of Action (NGBVPoA).

Logistical support is provided by Women and Family Support Department.

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National Women’s Commission
#1632 Buttonwood Bay Boulevard
Belize City, Belize
+501.280.4284
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