650 Women March in Historic Security Forces Rally

Belize City witnessed a first today, a powerful show of unity as more than six hundred and fifty uniformed women from the Police Department, B.D.F., and Coast Guard marched through the streets. The historic Women’s Law Enforcement March launched Women’s Month with a clear message that women aren’t just part of Belize’s security forces, they’re leading them. For many watching, it felt less like a parade and more like a bold statement about visibility, strength, and leadership. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. Here’s his report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belize City made history today as hundreds of uniformed women took over the streets in a powerful display of unity and pride. More than six hundred and fifty women from the Police Department, the B.D.F., and the Coast Guard marched shoulder‑to‑shoulder, an unprecedented show of strength to kick off Women’s Month 2026. More than just a parade; it was a celebration of service, sacrifice, and the sisterhood driving Belize’s security forces forward.

 

Sandra Bowden, Deputy Commissioner of Police

“It is very essential for the country and the world to know that we as women play a vital role in the security of our country. We have participated in all the events that our organization hold. We came together to celebrate this year knowing that when we celebrate and participate together we are stronger.”

 

Women of the Belize Defense Force stepped forward with pride today, taking their place in roles that were once reserved for men and standing in full solidarity.

 

Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defense Force

“Under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and Border Security we have moved from commitment to action in implementing the Women Peace and Security Agenda. We have worked deliberately to integrate women and gender perspectives into policy development, operational planning recruitment and leadership.”

 

The Belize Coast Guard also turned out strong, showing just how much women are now driving the future of maritime security.

 

Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“Our gathering today is a testament that Belize is serious about women in our security forces, women who protect this nation, women who leads in the initiative of safety and security in this nation.”

 

For Commissioner of Police, Dr. Richard Rosado, the turnout reflects a transformation taking place across Belize’s security institutions.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“So approximately thirty-three percent of our strength are females. I also want to add that in terms of ratio wise, men to men, female to female, we have a higher percentage of women that are supervisors when compared to men. In all our intake, the percentage of women have always been at least twenty-five percent. And then in promotion we have an equal amount in terms of promotions, supervisors, the different ranks, with the male counterpart.”

 

Presiding over the landmark event was Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam, who praised the women for breaking barriers and inspiring those coming after them. She also noted that many social obstacles still stand in the way of women rising into leadership and called for continued change.

 

Dame Froyla Tzalam, Governor General

“There is no doubt that there have been improvement for women but major obstacles remain to exercising our full rights. The persistence of violence against us, limited social and political participation, resistant to changes in the sexual division of labor, labor market barrier entrances and of course the burden of care for the elderly and children.”

 

This first‑ever Women’s Law Enforcement March is more than a celebration, it is a declaration. A declaration that women are not only present in Belize’s security forces, but they are also essential. Paul Lopez for News Five.

 

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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