7 News Belize

Computers To End Violence Against Women
posted (February 19, 2016)
Today the United Nations Population Fund donated laptops and computers to assist with the prevention of violence against women. Now equipment isn't the first thing that comes to mind when addressing such an important national issue. Today we spoke with a representative from the Ministry of Human Development and the Ministry of health and they explained how this donation will be used for this cause.

Sheila Rosel, Director Representative, UNFPA
"Our role is very crucial and very significant. UNFPA is very pleased to be partnering with the various ministries including the Ministry of Human Development, Social and Poverty Alleviation, The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Security and some other development agencies to implement the BA1 Project for the prevention of violence against women in Belize. We are very excited about this handover ceremony and to be handing over these very useful equipment to the various partners in order to strengthen the capacity of their ministries in the area of data management for the prevention of violence against women. We are very confident that these equipment are going to be used in a very useful way so that we can do more for the prevention of violence in Belize. Violence against women is something that can be prevented. I know the commitment is there. Belize have put in place measures like legislation. They also have support services. But we cannot just accept those and be too complacent with what we have. We have to do a lot more and I know that equipment that have been provided today to these ministries will be very useful."

Mark Antrobus, Acting Social Planner, Min. of Human Development
"It's a very important donation. And it will support the case management of all the people who come into contact with the ministry. So we are not only looking at violence against women, but generally across the whole range of processes and incidents that people come in contact. So it very important. It's a constant improvement in software and applications."

Tisa Grant, Health Planner, Ministry of Health
"As the gender focal point I represent the Ministry of Health and several committees and I also in this particular case, I represent on the national commission with respect to the BA1 Project. The equipment today will assist the Ministry of Health greatly in managing data. As you may know the gender base violence surveillance system is currently housed under the Ministry of Health. As such all data collected under that surveillance system is then given over to the Ministry of Health where it is manage and disseminated. So with the equipment received today we should be able to improve our data collection and analysis efforts."

The data gathering equipment is valued at approximately $184,000 Belize dollars and it will go to relevant government departments, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Security. The equipment comes under a Project for the Prevention of Violence against Women, Human Trafficking and Femicide in Belize.





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