Her Excellency Women’s Day Message Rossana Briceño

March 8, 2023

In observance of International Women’s Day and Women’s Month 2023, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience of all women across the world, especially our Belizean women. This is a time to celebrate the progress that has been made toward gender equality and to honor the sacrifices and contributions that women have made throughout history. We cannot forget the immense power that women hold. Women have always been the backbone of our families and communities, taking care of their loved ones, and working tirelessly to create a better world for all.

This month, we pay tribute to the extraordinary women who have made invaluable contributions to our society, like Ms. Seidi Quetzal and her outstanding initiative entitled ‘Don't Tax My Femininity Campaign’. This campaign aims to remove the taxes on sanitary products for women which are; the importation tax at 20%, the environmental tax at 3%, and the GST tax at 12.5%. Added together, women pay 35.5% more for a sanitary products. This campaign has the support of Cabinet, and our Women parliamentarians.

We also reflect on the progress we have made in advancing gender equality. Great women like Cleopatra White, Gwen Lizarraga and the late Hon. Sylvia Flores just to mention a few paved the way for the progress we have seen in recent years with courage, persistence and determination.

But, we must also remember that there is still much work to be done. Women continue to face discrimination, harassment, and violence, both in the workplace and in their personal lives. The cases of Domestic Violence in our country for 2022 were 1099 which represents an increase of 21% compared to 2021 which saw a total of 773 cases according to the Belize Crime Observatory.

We must do more to ensure that women are valued, and respected and that they have the same opportunities as everyone else to succeed in their careers and in life. Women come from diverse backgrounds and have different needs and priorities, especially women and girls with disabilities. We must be respectful and mindful of these differences, and work to create a more inclusive and diverse society that values and celebrates the contributions of all women. Gender equality is the first step toward equity. Gender equality and equity are important because they ensure that every person, regardless of gender identity, has the same rights, opportunities, and treatment as others. Equity means being fair and impartial. Achieving greater gender equity requires a sustained and comprehensive effort at all levels of society. We can do this by raising awareness of social issues such as domestic violence, addressing gender bias, and supporting women's empowerment through the promotion of gender-sensitive policies.

In our country, we have already taken steps to achieve equity. We have women in the Police Department, Coast Guard, and BDF. Also, there is women’s representation in the National Assembly and in government positions. We have women in entertainment like Ernestine Carballo and Melonie Gillet, and in sports, such as the National Football and Volleyball Teams. At the legislative level, we have updated the Domestic Violence Act and revised the National Gender Policy. We are building partnerships with international agencies like the United Nations and European Union, and other governments like The Republic of China (Taiwan) to implement projects to empower women.

We must also work to encourage men's involvement by challenging traditional gender roles and promoting gender equality in all areas of life. Everyone can start at home by having an equal division of chores. It is important to keep in mind that women’s rights are not just women’s issues. They are human rights.

As we celebrate Women's Month this year, let us recommit ourselves to the work of achieving gender equity. Let us honor the contributions of the women who have come before us, and let us continue to push for progress and change. As women, let us support one another. We are not each other’s enemy. We are our greatest allies. We must uplift each other because we understand one another and what we go through as women. One woman has power but together, we have the impact necessary to be the change we want to see.

Let us work towards a world where all women have access to education, healthcare, and equal opportunities in the workplace. Let us empower women to take control of their lives and their futures. Let us encourage and support the next generation of women leaders, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Together, we can build a world where all women are empowered to reach their full potential, and where their contributions are valued and respected. Together we can #EmbraceEquity. Thank you.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The People’s United Party announces a Convention to Elect a Chairperson for the Corozal North Constituency Executive Committee. Convention will take place on Sunday, March 26th, 2023. Polls will open at 9 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. at the San Antonio Government School in San Antonio Village, Corozal District.

COUNTRYWIDE PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTY

8 ½ Miles, George Price Highway, Belize District; Belmopan, Cayo District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the following properties. Sales currently running until 30th April 2023. Public Auction Sales will expire fortnightly on the dates and times listed on the website until these properties are sold.

Question(s) Week of the

March 10, 2023

Will Sista B represent Queen Square at the Budget presentation on April 10 at the House Sitting for the reading of the Budget? Will Shyne stop embarrassing himself and quit appearing where he does not qualify? When will the Barrows quit pulling Belize down their vile gutter?

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL

Belmopan 20 2470

The freehold properties of Mr. Fermin Cal

(Being a two storey concrete/timber dwelling house [1,895 sq. ft.] containing - Ground Floor: incomplete cement structure designed to be 3 bedrooms + 1 bathroom; First Floor: 3 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen TOGETHER with Lot [7,200 sq. ft.] situate in Belmopan, Cayo District, the freehold property of Mr. Fermin Cal.)

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 158 containing 1,013.39 S.M. situate at Mile 8.5 on the Northern Side of Hector Creek Road, George Price Highway, Belize District of Belize more particularly shown and described in a subdivision Plan of Survey by A. R. Marin, Certified Land Surveyor, recorded at The General Registry in Surveyors Plan Book No. 6 at Folios 170 as Lot No. 158 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon and Lot No. 8 containing 764.041 square meters situate at Mile 8 ½ George Price Highway, Belize District and more particularly delineated and described as shown on plan by Licensed Surveyor Cyrus Samuels and recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys at Entry No. 3255, Register No. 21 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a fabulous 2 Storey concrete dwelling house [5,110 sq. ft.] containing 4 bedrooms + 4 bathrooms + living/dining/ kitchen/laundry/game + 2 porches + POOL situate at Lot Nos. 158 & 8 Sun Set Park, Paradise Village, 8 1/2 Miles on the north side of George Price Highway, Belize District, the freehold property of Mr. Lawrence Ellis and Mrs. Kimberly Ellis)

“FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHS PLEASE VISIT WEBSITE”

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH

KEVIN A. CASTILLO

TELEPHONE: 223-4488

Website: belizepropertyauctions.com

Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

Facebook: Belize Auctions

Prime Minister of Belize, HON. JOHN BRICEÑO Keynote Address Multidimensional Poverty Index Launch

March 8, 2023

Good morning,

We are here today to learn more about the state of our people and, in effect, the state of our nation. For my Government, poverty is a pelage that must be eradicated from our shores. In #PlanBelize we committed to halving poverty in a decade, so, to have this opportunity to get the latest report on the state of poverty in our nation is significant. At the onset, I wish to thank and congratulate the Statistical Institute of Belize for producing the first Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index in Belize. The Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index or MPI. for short, will shed light on our successes and shortcomings, more so, it will give us a data-driven snapshot of where we are, so we can appreciate what we must do to rid our shores of this plague.

The last four censuses in Belize, conducted in 1995, 2002, 2009, and 2018, showed us a common trend—increasing poverty…with no viable avenue to control or stop it. In 2018, SIB reported that Belize’s Gini coefficient, the indicator used to measure our income inequality, was at 51 percent. At present, our country ranks amongst the top 10 countries in the world with the highest inequality. The result of this is decrease of our human capital index. This impacts our innovation and productivity. Poverty dwells and lingers in a society, inhibiting social mobility, obstructing government’s ability to act, and robs from those who wish for better that which should never be taken away: HOPE.

My administration took office in 2020 determined to steer clear from prescriptive policies that offer temporary solutions to our development challenges, and this includes poverty reduction. We know that home-grown plans can work for Belize, we have seen incredible results from them so far. The Mid-term Development Strategy (MTDS) is one such plan that we know will have a tremendous impact on our country’s development. This plan is Government’s blue print on how to deliver on our commitments to the Belizean people. One of the first challenges we faced entering office was an unemployment rate of 30 percent and poverty was estimated to be at 53 percent. Today, after months of meticulous planning and reforms, and despite all we have suffered together from climate disasters to the Corona virus pandemic, unemployment now stands at 5percent - an unprecedented feat for Belize.

Another key measure we are taking to reduce poverty is to stimulate an increase in human capital through meaningful investments in education. When the Millennium Challenge Corporation approached Belize in 2021, we were asked to identify our top two constraints on sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. The first one we mentioned was education, and the second was energy. Quality education is arguably the biggest investment we can make for our people, and it goes hand in hand with poverty reduction. Our unemployment rate is proof that we are making strides in creating jobs for our people, but why stop there? To combat low human capital, we must create opportunities our citizens. The opportunity to earn a degree, to develop technical skills, to contribute to the enabling environment we have created for MSMEs, and to partake in knowledge-building and training sessions, will place us on a path for success. Education is more than just a means of achieving sustainable development; Education

IS sustainable development.

I want to thank the international partners that helped in the development of this process: UNICEF, the Caribbean Development Bank, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), who developed the MPI methodology, as well as the United Nations Development Programme. Belize has always relied on the support of its partners and, this initiative, is no different. We appreciate your commitment to the goals we have set forth for this country. I, especially, want to commend the work of SIB. SIB, Belize’s primary hub of data and statistics, is a body that has proven itself to be greatly capable and resilient in a world where data is scarce and difficult to collect. That has not stopped them from delivering what Belize is always in need of but never has enough of: information. This MPI will be housed by them, and I have no doubt that it is in good hands. We reaffirm our commitment to the Belizean people that we will continue to work hard to deliver so that our country can become the embodiment of a nation rich in opportunity, quality of life, and focused on transformation. Thank you.