Minister of Human Development calls for change in culture that will end gender-based violence

Posted: Monday, November 29, 2021. 11:00 am CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: Minister of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous People’s Affairs Dolores Balderamos Garcia, in light of the 2021 observance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which launched last week, is calling for a shift in culture to address the issues that affect women and girls disproportionately.

Minister Balderamos Garcia, in her address at the official launch of the initiative, explained that the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) are power imbalances and gender inequality, which are upheld by a culture of norms that perpetuate causes and the resulting violence.

“In Belize, like many countries around the world, we recognize that effective action requires not only responding to incidents of gender-based violence and working to prevent individual instances but also building a culture based on privnciples and values that challenges the causes of gender-based violence and discrimination,” Balderamos Garcia said.

She stressed that human rights should be the set of values that informs daily living, and establish the minimum standards for full equality and a life of dignity for everyone, particularly women and girls. She went on to say that the 16 days of activism, which is being held under the theme “You and Me – from 16 to 365: End Violence against Women Now’ is a call to action for all Belizeans to participate in interventions taking place but to also challenge the social norms that perpetuate GBV.

The 16 days of activism initiative is now celebrating its 30th year. The initiative started on Thursday, November 25, and extends until Friday, December 10.

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