There have been countless initiatives and projects focused on women empowerment and inclusion especially in politics. Well another project entitled "Enhancing Women's Political leadership in the Caribbean," is addressing this issue but with a more research based approach. A representative from the Commonwealth Secretariat is in Belize gathering data as to the involvement of women in politics, analyzing and challenging the roles women are assigned to or take up themselves in their respective political parties. Yesterday she held an open meeting with the UDP to discuss the project.
Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children
"Cultural norms and traditional perception of roles of women still predominate and as such women continue to sit, to sit at the back and work behind the scenes, significant challenges in moving toward parity have indeed kept us from moving forward but I am happy today that over the past 7 years women have begun to take their rightful places in society especially in the political landscape. Earlier this year Mrs. Laura Tucker Longsworth was appointed as the speaker of the House of Representatives. Mrs. Longworth is the third woman who has been appointed as the speaker in the History of Belize. In addition to this currently there are 3 accomplished women in the senate and 3 in cabinet as serving as Ministers."
"The slow but steady increase of women in the political arena proves we may well be on our way to having a balanced representation of women and men. It is no secret that men and women, are very different, if we weren't, a gender issue would not exist. As women we think differently, speak differently and act differently than men but in my opinion this a form of strength rather than weakness."
Tres-Ann Kremer, Political Advisor Commonwealth Secretariat
"Mrs. Barrow said that um men and women are different and it is a strength and so we want to hear how is that manifested in cabinet, how is that manifested in the executive, how is that allowed to organically happen and are you really drawing from the strengths that your women bring to the table."
"We are trying to be bold to really go to the source of this issue to see if we can generate political will."
Kremer mentioned that it is rare for them to consult directly with political parties in regards to this issue but it is necessary to truly understand the inner workings of the parties. Kremer will meet with parliamentarians, youth leaders among other political officials from both parties. Similar research has been done in other Caribbean countries.
| 