Two-Year Engaging Men and Boys Program Concludes

PRESS RELEASE

November 14th, 2025

Final Forum Marks Successful Completion of Two-Year “Engaging Men and Boys to Advance Gender Equality and Help Prevent Gender Based-Violence” Initiative

For immediate release

The Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, in collaboration with the Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) and the Taiwan Technical Mission – ICDF, today hosted the final forum marking the completion of the two-year Engaging Men and Boys (EMB) to Advance Gender Equality and Help Prevent Gender-Based Violence initiative. This national effort, implemented between 2023 and 2025, has significantly strengthened youth engagement, awareness, and advocacy across the country.

Over the past two years, the EMB program delivered structured, interactive training sessions in twenty-three schools and reached approximately seven hundred students from every region of Belize, including the islands. The initiative focused on equipping young boys & girls with the knowledge and skills needed to challenge harmful gender norms, understand the impact of violence, and contribute positively to safer, more equitable communities. Students were introduced to key themes such as healthy masculinity, respecting personal boundaries, and positive leadership, while also learning about the national support systems and resources available in situations of gender-based violence. The program further encouraged youth to take active roles as advocates for change both within their schools and in broader community spaces.

Today’s culminating forum featured a dynamic panel discussion in which local professionals explored each module of the program in depth, offering expert insights and real-world context. Students were given the opportunity to pose questions directly to the panelists, engage in meaningful dialogue, and deepen their understanding of the issues addressed throughout the initiative. The event provided a reflective space for participants to highlight the program’s achievements and reaffirm their collective commitment to advancing gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence in Belize.

As this program cycle comes to a close, preparations are underway for the next phase, which will include the expansion of the Training-of-Trainers model, recruitment of additional facilitators, and the revision of the EMB curriculum to incorporate updated data, emerging trends, and enhanced approaches suitable for today’s youth. The coming year will also see continued outreach to schools and communities nationwide to ensure that the momentum achieved over the last two years is sustained and strengthened. Each new phase is reviewed and refined to ensure that current statistics, national priorities, and evolving social dynamics are fully reflected in the program’s implementation.

The Engaging Men and Boys initiative remains a vital component of Belize’s broader national efforts to promote gender equality, prevent violence, and empower young people to contribute to long-term social transformation. Through partnerships, advocacy, and continuous capacity building, the program reaffirms the nation’s commitment to creating safer and more equitable communities for all. A huge thank you to Taiwan Technical Mission-ICDF for their generous support.

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