Minister Calls for Collaboration to Open Domestic Violence Centers Countrywide

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

On the day of her memorial on June fifth – the fifty-ninth anniversary of her hanging – the sons of the late Nora Parham had shared their wish that the government would open centers in every district to provide support for victims of domestic violence. It is a wish that the Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia has not ignored. She was the government official who had signaled earlier this year that Parham had been dealt an injustice on all accords and that she should, at least, be posthumously pardoned. Minister Garcia told us that the call by Parham’s eldest son, Harry Parham, has prompted them to seek collaboration towards that end.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“The most touching part of the ceremony was a sharing of the experience by the eldest son, Mr. Harry Parham. He actually did indeed call for the attention to domestic violence survivors, so it gives us a guideline. It gives us sort of a way forward to try to be able to provide these centres in all the districts. We have to work with the Cayo District. For example now, they had a fire there the other day in their office, so we have to assist them. And I’ve pledged to work along with the Area Rep, Minister Chebat to see how we can replace that loss. In Belize City we have the Haven House Shelter for Battered Women, but we do need one in each district and Mr. Harry Parham having called for it, we will have to work towards that. I cannot promise that it’s going to be tomorrow, but especially say for example, the Toledo District, where Ms Nora was from – Forest Home near Punta Gorda – let’s look at it because it is a very great need. Of course it’s going to fall to the Ministry of Human Development with our partners to try to provide those centres. I think in Orange Walk we need, in the Belmopan area we need, in Stann Creek we need. I’m going to be speaking with our partners because that is something we need to do, and in memory of Ms Nora Parham herself and honouring the request of her sons. So yes, we’re going to work at it, but of course I send out a call for the cooperation of all like-minded people and all our friends to be able to turn this to a reality that we can have a centre in each district.”