Women’s Department Of Belize, The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation & Poverty Alleviation, through the Women’s Department with funding from the BA1 Project, hosted a National Women’s Group Forum on May 19th, 2016 whereby 54 women’s groups were represented. This focus-driven activity enables the Ministry to capture the concerns, challenges and strengths of the various women’s groups present and to map a way forward of how best to provide support for the strengthening and continued development of the groups.
With economic advancement for women being a strong focus, we believe that increasing financial productivity among women has long and far-reaching effects within households and by extension communities; one such impact being, creating a greater possibility for women to be able to be more independent and self-reliant when facing situations of abuse. One of the goals of the Forum was to also engage members to see themselves as partners and stakeholders in the work towards ending gender-based violence.
Panel representation by BELTRAIDE, Cooperatives Department and Credit Union League provided the opportunity for the attendees to gather information such as access to training and financing that can enhance and strengthen their economic growth.
Group discussions were geared at identifying key resources to build the capacity of these women internally as well as in relation to their enterprising activities. This collected data will be utilized to provide technical assistance at the local and national level.
The general consensus from the groups was that they would like to be engaged in capacity-building activities; to be provided with more technical assistance; as well as to form stronger linkages to the financing entities and to increased marketing opportunities.
The women’s groups in attendance were able to share and advise of their best practices as it relates to fundraising activities and to their outreach projects. Younger members of the groups participated in this forum as well, as a strategy to preserve the fibre and the work of these groups.
This Ministry continues its work to provide support to women’s groups countrywide and intends to have continuous functions of this nature to allow women’ s voices to shape the future in order to have a greater impact as we work for their advancement.
Women’s Department is located at 26 Albert St, Belize City, Belize. You can contact Women’s Department with telephone number +501 227-7397 .
Women’s Department is categorized as in 26 Albert St, Belize City, Belize