Belize | Gender in Infrastructure

Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms

Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Ratification in 1990. Accession to the Protocol in 2002. Main reference document for equality between men and women. Through its ratification or accession to it the States are legally bound to adopt all necessary measures, including special temporary measures and laws, in order for women to fully enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). The signatory countries take responsibility for the implementation of the Platform for Action, in which 12 critical areas of concern for the advancement of women are defined.
Constitution of Belize (1981) and reforms. Every person in Belize is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex.
National Women´s Commission (1982). Its mission is to advice the government on women´s issues. Provides strategic guidance and supervision on achievements concerning gender equality and empowerment for women in Belize.

Equal opportunities

National Development Framework for Belize 2010-2030. Set the gender equity and non-discrimination in access to opportunities as a core value of the Strategic Priorities for Horizon 2030 Vision.
The revised National Gender Policy (2013). Overall goal: to advance the achievement of de jure and de facto gender equality and equity in Belize. It sets policy priorities, among the others, education and skills training, wealth and employment generation, violence producing conditions and power and decision-making.
Equal Pay Act (2003). The Equal Pay Act stipulates equal remuneration for equal work.

Personal and labor conciliation

Labour (Amendment) Act (2005). A woman in any public, private industrial, commercial undertaking, or in any branch thereof, or in any agricultural undertaking or any branch thereof is entitled tomaternity leave (provided that she was employed by the same employer for a period of not less than 150 days during the 12 months preceding her confinement). Duration: 14 weeks (seven weeks before and seven weeks after confinement). Amount of maternity leave cash benefits: 100% of previous earnings (social security or employer). Nopaternity leave, but an insured male worker is entitled to a maternity grant, if his wife is not entitled to such grant, and if he satisfies the conditions for the entitlement to this benefit (the amount of maternity grant is three hundred dollars).

Violence due to gender

Act 19 - Domestic Violence Act (2007). An act that provides greater protection for victims of domestic violence.
Protection against sexual harassment Act. Chapter 107 (2000). An Act that defines the different forms of sexual harassment and its potential sentences.

Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanisms

Equal opportunities

Personal and labor conciliation

Violence due to gender

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