Belize’s Children’s Parliament Debates on Adolescent Health Access

Belize gave its young people the spotlight today at the George Price Center in Belmopan. The 2025 Children’s Parliament opened its doors to student representatives from across the country, giving them a chance to debate real national issues. And they made their voices heard. This year’s big topic? A proposed Adolescent Preventive Health Protection Bill. If passed, it would allow children fourteen and older to access preventive health services and information on their own, without needing parental consent. It’s a decisive move forward, aimed at empowering youth and improving health outcomes. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there and brings us the story.

 

Jasmine Cowo, Youth Parliamentarian

“I rise today as the proud representative of Belize Rural Central to express my strong support for the bill to grant adolescents independent access to preventive health services. To begin, the reality is that in Belize too many young people are often turned away from clinics simply because they come alone. They want help but our system says come back with an adult not because they want to deny them care but because our health rules were written for another time- a time when health care was easier to reach stop furthermore and many of our communities parents work miles away or guardians aren’t always around.”

 

This morning, Belmopan was a vibrant display of youth empowerment and civic engagement as Belize hosted the 2025 Children’s Parliament. It’s a chance for young Belizeans to step into the shoes of lawmakers, pitch bold ideas, and see democracy in action. So, what w as the big question on the floor? Whether Belize should introduce an Adolescent Preventive Health Protection Bill. This proposed legislation would give teens the right to informed consent and confidentiality when accessing preventive health services. Cameera Caliz, representing the Prime Minister in today’s session, says she’s fully behind the bill.

 

Cameera Caliz, Youth Parliamentarian

“I was a victim of this bill not being passed. For instance, I remember last year when I went to Belize City to do my schooling and I was under the age of eighteen and I was seventeen, I believe, and I had to go to the hospital because I was having like allergic reaction or something. And I went to the hospital and my mom was like, oh, but I’m not there. How are you gonna go there? And I believe that other adolescents who try to, seek different access when it comes to preventive healthcare, they can’t go to these hospitals without a parent or guardian. And I mean come on. As parents, they’re busy, they’re working.”

 

Parliamentarians in support of the bill argued that it was necessary for safe and reliable healthcare to be accessed by children in situations where a guardian may not give them the immediate care they need. Opponents argued the bill poses risks and shuts people

 

Gustavo Mendez, Youth Parliamentarian

“I rise today, with respect for what this bill seeks to achieve. It’s heart is in the right place, giving young people better access to overall healthcare, however, good intentions alone do not guarantee good outcomes. as written this bill gives full medical consent to fourteen-year-olds without clear rules, proper guidance or the support system that make consent meaningful in the first place. That is not important that is exposure.”

 

Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton attended the session. She commended the participants for their exemplary performance and dedication to effectively debating the subject.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“I think it’s absolutely important for us to support our young people. And give them opportunities to amplify their voice and to learn about our systems of government governance and how we ought to conduct ourselves in the National Assembly. I’ve always supported the children’s parliament. I’ve always served as a mentor to some of the, participants. And I think it’s very important that we meaningfully engage our young people.”

 

Caliz shared plans to pursue politics down the road. While she notes that the preparation process was lengthy and required hours of research, she is grateful for the opportunity.

 

Cameera Caliz

“And UNICEF also help have had these meetings, these preparatory sessions such as General Command 26, general Command 27, my apologies. And it basically ties in together on the sessions and the meeting basically educates you on how good governance work, how to public speak, and those stuff that would eventually help us, which did help us today.”

 

The session wrapped up with a majority vote in favor, sending the proposal to the Senate for further debate. This year’s Children’s Parliament didn’t just highlight the passion and insight of Belize’s future leaders, it also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to raising a generation that’s politically aware and actively engaged. Britney Gordon for News Five.