Womens Agenda 2012 Forging Partnerships, Impacting Lives

INTRODUCTION: The Peoples United Party (PUP) is the only political party in the history of Belize that has taken a serious approach to empowering women through meaningful inclusion in every sector of our Nation. The PUP administration of (1998-2008) was very committed to womens reform. While much has been accomplished, there is still much more to be done for the empowerment and inclusion of more women in key areas of our society. The PUP, and the United Womens Group (UWG), remains committed to building a Belize free from inequality, discrimination, and oppression of women and girls. The Womens Agenda 2012 Forging partnerships Impacting Lives addresses the issues that impact women and their families ranging from equality in the workplace and economic equity, to international development; from affirmative action to women in parliament; from education and sports issues to health challenges. Our policy agenda comprises the building blocks for a society free from inequality, oppression and discrimination that continue to face many women and girls from all walks of life. In order for the following concerns to be fully addressed, the government must appropriately allocate its resources to invest in the needs of its citizens. There must be a balance when it comes to adequate investment in the economic security of women and families. The PUP and the UWG remains vigilant and committed to continue doing our part in the advancement and empowerment of women in Belize.

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Socio-Cultural Issues Create and strengthen policies to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of child care and learning Review the criteria of the non-contributory pension scheme for women 65 years and older. Continue Appoint a Special Ambassador to represent and advocate for Belizean women and children at home and abroad. Establish an Unemployment Benefit Program for single head of household women who have lost their jobs. Introduce gender mainstreaming into public policy as a strategy for a pluralistic approach that values the diversity among both women and men. Review and strengthen the Domestic Violence Unit to make it more responsive and effective. Establish shelters for homeless and battered women. Highlight and promote women in arts and culture at the local and international level.

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Education Goals Ensure the availability of academic and psychological counseling for students, K- 4th form. Review and enhance the technical and vocational program at ITVET to create a more practical program to meet the needs of the market. Focus on establish non-traditional employment and agricultural programs for women. Encourage and promote literacy clubs. Establish a womens mentorship program.

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Housing Provide fiscal incentives to businesses, which contribute to build low income houses for single parent headed households.

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Socio Political Challenges Continue to ensure womens participation in decision-making positions in Cabinet, Senate, and other key organizations. Advance womens political participation at the leadership level to 30% by supporting mechanisms and programs that will boost gender equality in politics. Economic Targets Work with private sector institutions to encourage the implementation of program that will provide easier access to micro-credit loans to women entrepreneurs. Encourage the establishment of service sector industries and provide incentives for businesses, which hire women. Promote the establishment of womens cooperatives for nontraditional businesses. Promote improvement to traditional craft making and the establishment of markets within the region. Legal Reform Continue to improve and make the Justice system more efficient by providing continuous gender sensitivity training for all employees and personnel including Judges. Introduce access to affordable DNA paternity tests. Expand Legal Aid services and make the services more accessible and affordable to women. Amend the law to: i. Allow the Courts to order DNA and blood tests without consent in cases of paternity, rape, and other sexual offences. ii. Ensure a register for repeat sex offenders, and to deny the same bail unless they apply to the Supreme Court. iii. Stipulate that sex offenders are not offered early nor easy parole iv. Increase the sentence for all sex offenders. v. Define rape to include the forcible penetration of all body orifices.

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Health, Sports and Fitness Plans Establish wellness centers to address emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Work with all social partners and the private sector in improving the provision of health and social services. Provide a holistic approach to combat domestic violence, rape and sexual offences against women and children, boys as well as girls. Establish counseling and crisis toll free hotlines. Establish several mobile health clinics for rural areas. Provide health benefit packages to officers in the Police Department and the Belize Defence Force Strengthen existing programs in home care training to equip caregivers with the skills necessary to care for the housebound and elderly Belizeans.