Presented by:

Carolyn ReynoldsExecutive Director

WIN-Belize

Wednesday 29th Aug. ‘12

Biltmore Best Western

Network of eighteen organizations working on issues affecting women and Most At Risk Populations in Belize

Motto: Working together for improved opportunities

Mission: WIN-Belize seeks to strengthen its network of civil society organizations, mobilize resources and advocate for gender equity and the empowerment of women in Belize.

Vision: WIN-Belize is a vibrant civil society network championing the rights of women especially those in difficult circumstances and advocates for gender equity in all aspects of Belize’s national development.

To monitor national and international policies impacting the lives of women that they could not on their own address;

To share information and exchange experiences on the work they were doing to improve the position and condition of women in Belize; and

To support the efforts of members of the Network to raise funds for their work

• •

The pursuit of Human Rights, which includes the rights of women

Achieving Gender Equity and Gender Equality

The Practice of Democratic Leadership

USAID/PASCA approached AAA to discuss the possibility of developing an advocacy group in Belize under the Central American Initiative.

AAA contacted WIN-Belize as a coordinating Agency to bring groups together.

The National Advocacy Working Group was established after a two day workshop and started to work around May of 2009.

To be more strategic with programs To develop new strategies for the

reduction of HIV/AIDS cases To strengthen the coordination efforts

among groups working on the issue To influence behaviour change

among young people To identify gaps in the response to

HIV/AIDS

Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO)

Women’s Issues Network-Belize (WIN-BELIZE)

United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM)

Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) Alliance Against AIDS (AAA) Hand in Hand Ministries (HHM) Methodist Church (MC) Red Cross Youth Enhancement Services (YES)

1.- Prevention strategies within the context of Sexual and Reproductive Health;

2.- Integration of HIV-AIDS services within the Health Centers to ensure confidentiality, reduction of stigma and discrimination;

3.- Continuous monitoring of the budget assigned to HIV-AIDS to ensure that resources are assigned properly to preventive and treatment services.

4.- Continuous monitoring of the implementation of HIV-AIDS policies by the public and labor sectors;

5.- Support services to persons living with HIV including access to resources, treatment and care.

To influence policy makers to protect the right of all people living in Belize to live a healthy and productive life by effectively responding to HIV/AIDS and its related issues.

VisionBy 2014 the National Advocacy Committee sits at the policy table to formulate policies and ensure effective implementation of programs that respond to HIV/AIDS in Belize.

Prevention Strategies in the context of Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy are not fully considered and/or applied.

Lack of integration of VCT Services has undermined treatment, referral, follow up, ARV supplies and has not dealt with S&D for all PLWHA especially vulnerable groups

The benefits of knowledge of HIV status can be seen at the individual, community and population levels.

For the individual – enhanced ability to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV; making more informed choices for the future; and if HIV positive access HIV care, treatment and support; and protection of unborn infants.

For the community – a wider knowledge of HIV status and its links to interventions can lead to a reduction in denial, stigma and discrimination and to collective responsibility and action.

At the country population level – knowledge of HIV epidemiological trends can influence the policy environment, a wider sensitization of HIV/AIDS and the reduction of stigma and discrimination.

Speak in the context of WIN’s members: BFLA – the perception of this

organization is that abortion is its primary service• Not having the education/information on the

services they provide • Not interested in receiving knowledge on the

services• Religious beliefs influences perception of the

organization• Not understanding that the organization works

within the parameters of the Law

Perception that legal challenge is to have same sex marriage in Belize

• Sexual orientation of lead person challenging Section 53 of the Criminal Code

• Organizations and individuals associated with Unibam is stigmatized & discriminated against

• Advertisement misleading public • Limited education on the legal challenge• Recent workshop with Winners Women’s

Group helped to clear up the purpose of the challenge

Perception that confidentiality is not adhered to

Survivors of DV vulnerable to experiencing stigma and discrimination from service providers such as the police, health workers, magistrates

Shelter provides services to women and children therefore organization is stigmatized and discriminated against by perpetrators and family members. Some clients are also affected and infected with HIV

Network members work on issues of HIV, SRH&R, CSEC, GBV etc.

Advocacy work on these issues are not always attractive to some network members which leads to them showing stigma & discrimination

For example, these members refuse to acquire knowledge/information on the legal challenge

Other examples include low participation on advocacy work with:• Abortion• Commercial sexual exploitation of children

and adolescent• National dialogue on HR, Law and HIV

Low membership in NAWG

All WIN-Belize members work using a human rights approach

Personal beliefs and experiences influence the actions of persons and organizations

Cycle Prejudice

Idea

StigmaAttitude

DiscriminationAct

Human rights violationResults