Breaking Belize News joins the nation in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026, honoring outstanding Belizean women who continue to inspire girls and women to “Balance the Scales.”
Today’s feature highlights Zoila Palma, a prominent Belizean journalist and storyteller whose work has helped shape public discourse and promote accountability in Belize.
Born and raised in the Cayo District, Palma is a proud graduate of Saint Ignatius High School and later continued her studies at Sacred Heart Junior College, where her passion for writing and community engagement flourished.
Today, Palma serves as a digital journalist with Breaking Belize News, one of Belize’s leading independent news platforms. Through her reporting, she covers a wide range of topics including social issues, governance, education, and community development. Over the years, she has produced news features and investigative pieces examining public policy, community health, and civic participation—work that has been cited internationally in discussions on digital responsibility and media literacy.
Her commitment to professional growth has led to participation in several prestigious programs. Palma was selected for the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program on Building Digital Literacy and Media Responsibility in Democracies in the Digital Age. She has also completed certification coursework with the Poynter Institute, strengthening her skills in fact-checking, media ethics, and digital reporting.
Palma has also participated in international media initiatives, including the U.S. Embassy Media Tour: From Fear to Facts – Demystifying the ICJ in The Hague, which focused on public understanding of the International Court of Justice. In 2019, she joined the Taiwan Media Tour, where she gained insights into development cooperation programs supported by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund and the longstanding partnership between Belize and Taiwan.
In 2023, Palma also covered the state visit of President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-Wen, reporting on several Belize–Taiwan cooperation initiatives in the Cayo District.
Ahead of the 2020 General Elections, Palma played a key role in raising awareness about the dangers of viral misinformation. Through her reporting and public commentary, she emphasized the importance of media literacy for teachers, students, and the wider public.
In 2020, during Women’s Empowerment Month, Palma was recognized by photographer and entrepreneur Mary Robinson as one of the women leading digital innovation in Belize.
In 2025, she was also featured in a Women’s Month spotlight by Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children Rossana Briceño, which celebrated Palma as a leading voice in Belizean media and described her as a “trailblazer in media.”
Most recently, Palma joined fellow Belizean journalists in Panama for training under Proyecto Revisa, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening journalistic collaboration and promoting democratic transparency.
Beyond journalism, Palma is also a community advocate who frequently engages in initiatives encouraging youth participation and media literacy. She also manages her family business, Palma’s Lumber and Supplies.
As a devoted mother and mentor, Palma continues to inspire young Belizeans—especially women and girls—to pursue careers in media, civic leadership, and public service.
Her reporting not only informs the public but also fosters civic engagement and accountability, embodying the vital role journalism plays in a democratic society.
The post “Balance the Scales”: Happy International Women’s Day! appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Breaking Belize News joins the nation in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026, honoring outstanding Belizean women who continue to inspire girls and women to “Balance the Scales.” Today’s feature highlights Zoila Palma, a prominent Belizean journalist and storyteller whose work has helped shape public discourse and promote accountability in Belize. Born and raised in the
The post “Balance the Scales”: Happy International Women’s Day! appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
