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In Cabinet news, with the start of the 2021 tourism season and increased tourist arrivals expected at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, the Ministry of Immigration has gotten approval to add six more immigration clerks and increasing overtime pay for immigration officers from fifty to seventy-five hours. Cabinet was updated on the status of […]
Written on November 18, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Cabinet News: Booster Shots for All and Extended Free Testing
Topics that affect women are usually what make it to the fore of roundtable discussions, but today there was a shift in that focus to men. It falls in tandem on November nineteenth with International Men’s Day, which will bear the theme: Better Relations between Men and Women. At the core of the discourse are […]
Written on November 17, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Man 2 Man Forum Looks at Marriage and Men’s Roles
Sixteen Days of Activism, an annual campaign to raise public awareness about women and gender-based violence, takes place later this month. It commences with a panel discussion on November twenty-sixth at the University of Belize and will feature several speakers, including Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia. This morning, Special Envoy for Women and Children […]
Written on November 10, 2021 | Posted in
Social Issues |
Comments Off on 16 Days of Activism Begins in Late November
The Spotlight Initiative has released the results of a study of attitudes toward violence against women and girls, family violence, gender equity and discrimination. It was based on data collection that began a year ago. One thousand two hundred people from across the country between 18 and 49 were surveyed. Key findings showed that eleven […]
Written on November 10, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on 11 percent of those surveyed say it’s okay for a man to beat his partner
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed this afternoon, aimed at creating economic opportunities for Belizean woman. It is a joint venture, through the Ministries of Human Development and Agriculture, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Services (BELTRAIDE) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The four entities will together provide the necessary job readiness, business and […]
Written on October 28, 2021 | Posted in
Economy,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on MOU to Expand Economic Opportunities for Women
The ten percent pay cut also continues to be a contentious issue. Could there be another strike? PSU President Flowers says although the six month review is due, so far they have not heard anything from the Prime Minister. The unions want their full salary restored and are waiting to see if the PM does […]
Written on October 27, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Unions Want to Hear from PM on Salary Cuts
During her appearance on this morning’s Open Your Eyes, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Dolores Balderamos Garcia spoke to the apparent division between several Maya communities in the Toledo District over customary land rights. As we have reported, members of at least three communities have come out to say that they do not want to […]
Written on October 25, 2021 | Posted in
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Minister Garcia Says Competing Interests for Land Rights Must be Balanced
We also asked Minister Garcia about the Garifuna community and their claims to land under customary land rights. Here is what she had to say. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs. “It is an issue again of representation. I think Government’s responsibility is again, respectful engagement, listening to people’s concerns, but of […]
Written on October 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Indigenous Affairs Minister Says Representation Requires Respectful Engagement
A wage bill higher than before. But can Flowers substantiate that claim? He says just take a look at the Customs and Excise Department which now has four deputy comptrollers and nine assistant comptrollers. That’s right, nine. Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union “What I can tell you is that where austerity is concerned […]
Written on October 22, 2021 | Posted in
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As we reported on Thursday, new legislation governing the juvenile justice system will be introduced at next week’s House Meeting by the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The Minister who holds the portfolio on that matter, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia explained to News Five what the changes will mean. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister […]
Written on October 22, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on New Legislation for Juvenile Justice System Coming
Balderamos Garcia explained that the law provides for a proactive rather than a reactive approach when dealing with children with vulnerabilities. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development “We want to change the paradigm from criminalizing young people’s behaviour and looking to where there are indeed vulnerabilities and the need for child protection, you […]
Written on October 22, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on More Proactive Approach to Juvenile Law
This morning, a panel of four presenters, including Cristina Coc, spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance, convened a lengthy discussion on recognizing the importance of Garifuna land rights. The issue is once again at the forefront of public discourse in light of what has been taking place in Garifuna communities across the country. Coc, who […]
Written on October 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Maya Land Rights: Unbroken Chain of Legal Victories
Speaking of anti-corruption reform, the minister was asked for an update in terms of final implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Minister Usher says that the process is complex, but the Briceño administration is making sure that all the necessary requirements are in place for its effective operation. Henry Charles Usher, Minister […]
Written on October 21, 2021 | Posted in
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Social Issues |
Comments Off on Where Are We with the Implementation of UNCAC?
The issue of land rights, as they pertain to the indigenous community, is once again at the forefront of public discourse. Recent developments in Seine Bight Village, as well as a land dispute between the communities of Barranco and Midway, have prompted the National Garifuna Council to organize a panel discussion on Thursday. The purpose […]
Written on October 19, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Recognizing Garifuna Land Rights: Virtual Panel This Week
The panel is made up of four speakers, including doctors Peitra Arana and Philip Castillo, as well as MLA spokesperson Cristina Coc and Marvin Blades. Coc has been at the forefront of the Maya land rights case in which the Caribbean Court of Justice ruled in favor the thirty-eight indigenous communities, affirming their right to […]
Written on October 19, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Panel Discussion to Look at the Importance of Indigenous Land Rights
News Five also spoke with Cristina Coc who is the spokesperson of the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association. The opportunity to speak on the issue of land rights allows her to share the Maya perspective since they led the charge to have indigenous land rights recognized by the courts. Cristina Coc, […]
Written on October 19, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on A Maya Perspective on Garifuna Land Rights: Similarities and Struggles
The issue of crime and violence continues to plague Belize. PM Briceno says his administration has a strategy to address the issue. He spoke about the plan and gave his own response to the senseless murder fifteen year old Dwayne Gabourel. Marleni Cuellar “I want to make note that this is one story of […]
Written on October 13, 2021 | Posted in
Crime,
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Comments Off on PM on Shooting of Youths and Concrete Solutions
Today, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay and the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, David Kuan-Chou Chien signed a letter of intent for a project to promote women’s entrepreneurship and social inclusion through financial and technical collaboration. The women- and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises will benefit from extensive […]
Written on October 13, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Belize and Taiwan Initiate Women’s Small Business Program
You may recall that about four weeks ago we spoke to two Unitedville residents who complained about the inconsistency of the potable water flow in their area. They told us that for the past three years residents in their part of the community have been going without running water for days on end because there […]
Written on October 11, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Unitedville Water Woes Continue: Chairman Shaw Explains Why No Wata No Dey
Social Anthropologist Doctor Herbert Gayle has done extensive research on the issue of crime and violence across the region. Based on his research, Doctor Gayle has also made recommendations about how this country’s leaders should tackle the issue. In light of the recent spike in gang violence in Belize, Doctor Gayle made an appearance on […]
Written on October 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Dr. Gayle: State of Emergencies Feel Good, But Ultimately Don’t Work
In keeping with Doctor Gayle’s thoughts, Educator and Researcher Nelma Jones, who was also a guest on O.Y.E., stressed the importance of getting the perspective of these young men in our efforts to finding solutions. Nelma Jones, Educator & Researcher “I know a lot of people were upset when some members of the street […]
Written on October 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Nelma Jones: Listen to Youth and Help Them Solve Gang Problems
The recent murders of two elderly men have raised serious concerns about violence against senior citizens. While the National Council of Ageing has issued a release decrying the senseless acts of violence that have befallen Geoffrey Crawford and Leo Skeen, today the Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia speaks of the responsibility of the citizenry […]
Written on October 7, 2021 | Posted in
Crime,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Protecting Our Elderly Against Violence
Violence against older people is a global issue and today, a joint release from the Council of Ageing and the Ministry of Human Development condemned the neglect, abandonment and abuse of older people. Leo Skeen is the second active older man to have been killed in less than two weeks. Just last Thursday, Geoffrey Crawford […]
Written on October 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on 2 Active Older Men Murdered in Less than 2 Weeks
While the country continues to grapple with a rise in crime, these recent murders highlight that crime and violence impacts every person. Executive Director of the Council of Ageing, Ix-chel Poot told News Five today that there has to a collective responsibility to keep our older population safe. Ix-chel Poot, Executive Director, Council of […]
Written on October 6, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Crimes Against Older People is Everyone’s Business
If you are proud of the loud noise made by your truck, bus, car, motorcycle or moving equipment, or have even had work done to make it even louder in order to make your presence known, the following message is directed at you. Today the Department of Transport through the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy […]
Written on October 6, 2021 | Posted in
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Caution: Excessive Noise from Motor Vehicles
