25 June 2024 – At The Claude Cadogan Center in Belize City today, the Belize Network of NGOs (BNN) launched the Belize Wi Redi campaign in support of a comprehensive law that will ensure equal opportunities for all of us and reflect our Belizean society at its best.

The law will protect Belizeans who experience discrimination, such as women or people living with disabilities, ensuring fair treatment and access to health services, education, work and housing.

Country-wide consultations were held with public institutions and key stakeholders on the original draft of the Equal Opportunities Bill over three years. This has guaranteed a wide range of input from all sectors of Belizean society, and shaped this latest version of the Bill, which addresses the comments and concerns raised by the public.

A July 2022 national public opinion survey commissioned on behalf of the National AIDS Commission (NAC) across all six districts of the country shows strong public appetite for this type of legislation. Two out of three people surveyed are in favour of a law that protects all of us, both at work and in public spaces such as shops and restaurants.

At the campaign launch this morning, the BNN, who are championing this Bill, called on the Government to introduce it as soon as possible.

According to Dr Elma Kay, Chair of the Belize Network of NGOs: “Over the last few years, we have endured a pandemic, devastating storms, and severe wildfires, but in every instance, Belizeans have pulled together through a sense of neighbourliness and the desire to be there for each other. The Equal Opportunities Bill is about putting these national values of inclusivity, tolerance and kindness into practice.”

The BNN’s mandate is to promote good governance to achieve sustainable human development through advocacy, open and effective communication, and active participation in reforming our system of governance.

The panel of speakers included President of the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA), Kenrick Theus. He spoke movingly of the importance of the Bill for Belizeans living with disability.

“Family bonds, resilience, kindness, and fairness are key to who we are, yet, for some, more needs to be done so that our society is level and fair. For example, more hotels and venues need to ensure adequate access for those in wheelchairs and simply finding a venue for today’s launch was a challenge in this respect.”

 “It’s clear that this could be improved, and Belizeans really want equality legislation.  In the survey, 95% of people felt that anyone living with disabilities should be protected from discrimination.”

Mr. Theus was also joined on the panel by Michele Irving, Executive Director of the Product Organization for Women in Action (POWA) and Enrique Romero, Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission (NAC).

The NAC public opinion survey also shows that a majority of Belizeans are tolerant and ready for laws that protect religious belief, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBT people. If passed, two-thirds of people say that the Bill will have a positive impact on their lives.

Brandon Usher, Belizean Attorney and Advocate, and who facilitated today’s launch, said: “Belize is at a critical juncture, and this legislation is a fundamental element of the journey on our legal development path. That is because this Bill ensures that all Belizeans need to be able to access the rights provided for us under the Constitution of this country. As a mature democracy, one that also looks to be future facing, we should embrace this legislation, it will work for everyone.”

Notes to editors

• In January 2019, an Anti-Discrimination Steering Committee was formed to develop equality legislation. Public consultations across the country on the first version of the Bill took place in January 2020. Further consultations were then conducted with high profile Belizean institutions, such as the Council of Churches, the Chamber of Commerce and the Bar Association, to ensure the widest participation and input from all sectors of Belizean society. Feedback from those consultations has enhanced and informed this new version of the Equal Opportunities Bill.
• A summary of the public opinion survey can be found here.
• The survey was conducted by Borge Y Asociados – a Central American research and social science agency with over 25 years of experience in the region. Between 25 June to 25 July 2022, a representative sample of 622 people over 18 years of age from across Belize were interviewed, from areas including Orange Walk, Cayo, Corozal, Stann Creek and Toledo.
• A public service announcement was screened at the campaign launch about the Bill and showcasing the survey results. It will be aired across all major TV channels and radio stations from 26 June, and can be viewed on the Belize Wi Redi! website.
• For further information, please visit https://wi-redi.bz/ and our Belize Wi Redi! Facebook page.
• For more information and to arrange interviews contact Kimberly Jones: admin@belizengos.org