Gender-Based Violence are Human Rights Violations

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

The Sixteen Days of Activism held each year aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence and the challenges prevailing discriminatory attitudes that most often affect women and girls. In her speech on the occasion, Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia underscored the reasons why attention has to be paid to these sensitive issues.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Families

“It is extremely important that during this period, countries take the time to reflect and be more survivor-centered when designing support systems, including empowerment strategies. 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 principles and values that challenge the causes of gender-based violence and discrimination. We recognize that human rights should be the set of values that inform our daily lives and establish the minimum standards for full equality and a life of dignity. Every person in Belize should be aware how gender-based violence continues to be the most pervasive form of human rights violations which prevent persons, especially women and girls from reaching their full potential and dignified lives free from fear.”