Gender Policy updated and is against discrimination by sexual orientation

The updated national gender policy is a process that began in 2009. It included the development of a situational analysis to understand what’s happening in Belize in regards to men women and children throughout the life cycle. It embodies all the issues that affect Belizeans. The launch of the policy was held at the Belize Best Western Biltmore on Thursday and News Five’s Jose Sanchez reports.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

The Revised Gender Policy 2013 was commissioned by the National Women’s Commission. According to the document it identifies and examines inequities experienced by men and women while suggesting ways to correct gender disparities and implementation of relevant policies.

Judith Alpuche

Judith Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation & Poverty Alleviation

“At the end of the today, what we have is a far more robust document beucase of the process that it went through. It took a little longer than we expected but I think it “Vale la pena” because we do have a very comprehensive document well thought out that is really in sync with many of the sectorial plans, etc.”

The revised policy was presented by Adele Catzim Sanchez.

Adele Catzim Sanchez

Adele Catzim Sanchez

“We need a revised national women’s policy because life chances over time and there are new emerging issues that come to our attention over the last few years and one of those critical areas is the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescence. And so the national gender policy includes those things and it makes specific commitments for how the government will address those situations. We also have things like the number of accidents on the road, but also the gun violence. That’s a gender equity issue that is now in the updated national gender policy because it affects more young men than it affects young women. Things that we had to make sure for example was that sexual minorities issues is also represented in the national gender policy because gender policy because gender orientation is also a gender issue. It includes domestic violence that happens within the family environment; it also includes sexual harassment that happens within the workplace. And it includes rape that happens either at home or on the streets…but it also includes all the harassment and the discrimination against persons because of their gender orientation or sexual identity.”

Jose Sanchez

“According to what you have here in respect for diversity, refers to sexual orientation. Is the women commission going against the grain and supports UNIBAM? I see Mr. Caleb Orozco is also here in full support you.”

Ann-Marie Williams, Women’s Commission

“I invited Caleb because Caleb works as a member of the N.G.O. community, but I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”

Jose Sanchez

“I am asking you if the Women’s Commission supports the removal of that portion of the penal code regarding sodomy because you are referring to sexual orientation in relation to diversity.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“Well, regarding the code I cannot speak for the Women’s Commission. And we never had a statement out on that. But the policy speaks to the constitution. Part of the preamble of the policy speaks that in 1981, the constitution says that all citizens of Belize are part of this gender equality, mixed…”

Ann-Marie Williams

Jose Sanchez

“But it didn’t refer to sexual orientation.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“I’m telling you, they are part of the gender equality mix. And they should not be discriminated against regardless of race, color, creed, political affiliation, or sex. And it’s part of the preamble of the policy and it’s in the constitution.”

Jose Sanchez

“So basically you are saying that the policy and the constitution supports UNIBAM; that’s what you are saying.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“I am not saying that. I am not saying that. And don’t try to put me to saying that. The police is saying that all Belizeans have a right to non-discrimination regardless of race, sex, color or creed. And make sure you quote me correctly.”

But the  architects of the constitution referred to sex as equality between male and female, not ‘sex’ as in alternative sexual orientation. But the constitution is a living document and perhaps that is why the policy was approved by Cabinet in March. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.