Targeted Sessions for Women Empowerment Forum

Women from across Belize gathered in the city today, not just to mark Women’s Month, but to recharge and reclaim their power. The National Women’s Commission hosted a lively empowerment forum and fair, spotlighting the real‑life challenges women juggle, from health and finances to leadership and self‑care. Under the theme “Balance the Scales,” speakers pushed for true gender equity and offered practical tools through workshops on everything from financial literacy to mental wellness. CEO Adele Catzim‑Sanchez says the goal is simple: give women the support they need to thrive in every role they take on.

 

Adele Catzim-Sanchez, CEO, Ministry of Human Development

“This symposium is just one of several activities that we’re doing to celebrate Women’s month. This year under the team Balance the Scales and really Balance the Scales is really just about bringing more equity and equality gender wise. Looking at having more women in the workforce, having more women taking care of themselves and just really recognizing the contributions that women make in our society. We started out today with a wonderful presentation by the bishop from the Methodist Church, Elswith Claire and just reminding us historically of the role that women have played in spiritual development and using the Bible as a basis. And then further to that, moving on to look at how we take care of ourselves. We as women, sometimes we neglect ourselves ’cause we take care of everybody else, right? Take care of the children, our husbands. But just reminding us, Dr. Bear reminds us that we need to focus inward too and look at how we do self care that is positive. And walking us through that life cycle. So that was very good. And also teaching us about ways that we can prevent certain types of cancers that that continue to plague us in Belize. And then now we have a presentation looking at financial literacy because we have more women. This government has really been promoting having more and more women enter the workforce or be part of the paid economy.”

 

And with voices calling for equity, self‑care, and financial confidence, today’s forum underscored one message, Belizean women are ready to thrive on their own terms.

 

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.

 

Watch the full newscast here: