By Zoila Palma: Belize participated in the Commonwealth Women’s Forum held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 2 to 4, 2026, alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The delegation included Special Envoy Rossana Briceño, Chief Executive Officer Adele Catzim-Sanchez, and Starla Bradley of the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs.
The forum brought together representatives to discuss key issues affecting women across the Commonwealth, including women in leadership, economic empowerment, gender and climate change, ending gender-based violence, and strengthening accountability for gender equality commitments.
The Special Envoy delivered a high-level reflection during a session titled “The Health Sector Response to Gender-Based Violence in the Commonwealth,” highlighting the important role healthcare systems play in identifying and supporting survivors.
During her remarks, Briceño stressed that gender-based violence is not simply a private matter but a violation of women’s rights, a public health concern, and an obstacle to equality and development.
She highlighted Belize’s newly enacted Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Act and called for survivor-centred healthcare, improved mental health and psychosocial support, greater investment in trained healthcare professionals, and stronger coordination among health, social and justice services.
The Special Envoy also highlighted the need to move beyond condemning violence and establish systems that protect women, support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
The forum was funded by the Caribbean Development Fund, which will invest in establishing Belize’s first One-Stop Resource Centre for victims of gender-based violence, alongside intervention programmes for batterers.
The post Belize participates in Commonwealth Women’s Forum in Antigua and Barbuda appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Belize participated in the Commonwealth Women’s Forum held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 2 to 4, 2026, alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The delegation included Special Envoy Rossana Briceño, Chief Executive Officer Adele Catzim-Sanchez, and Starla Bradley of the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs.
The post Belize participates in Commonwealth Women’s Forum in Antigua and Barbuda appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.