Belize Launches National Committee to Strengthen Child Protection and Justice

BELIZE CITY, Belize - Belize has launched a new national committee aimed at strengthening child protection and child justice through greater coordination among government agencies, the judiciary, law enforcement and civil society.

The Child Protection and Child Justice Steering Committee brings together key public institutions and development partners to oversee reforms designed to better protect children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The new body replaces the former Child Protection Thematic Working Group and the Child Justice Steering Committee following a review of Belize’s child protection system, which identified the need for stronger coordination among agencies responsible for children’s welfare.

Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs Thea Garcia-Ramirez said the committee reflects the government’s commitment to improving services for children and families.

She said the initiative is intended to ensure that institutions responsible for protecting children work together more effectively while placing children’s welfare at the centre of national decision-making.

The committee is chaired by Justice Natalie Dixon, with the Director of the Department of Human Services serving as vice-chair. The National Commission for Families and Children will act as the secretariat.

Dixon said the committee will provide national oversight of child protection and child justice reforms rather than manage individual cases.

Its priorities include strengthening the child protection system, modernising child justice, expanding prevention and early intervention programmes, improving data collection and accountability, and building the capacity of professionals who work with children and families.