Belize launches National Committee to strengthen Child Protection and Child Justice

The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC), the Judiciary of Belize, and UNICEF Belize, with support from the Office of the Attorney General, have officially launched the Child Protection and Child Justice Steering Committee (CPJSC).

The CPJSC brings together government ministries and departments, the justice sector, law enforcement, civil society, and development partners to strengthen coordination, accountability, and national action for children.

The Committee merges the former Child Protection Thematic Working Group and Child Justice Steering Committee into one national body. Its establishment follows a comprehensive evaluation of Belize’s child protection system, which identified the need for stronger coordination and greater alignment among the institutions responsible for preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Hon. Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the systems that serve children and families.

“The launch of the CPJSC is more than the establishment of another coordinating body. It is a commitment to ensuring that the institutions responsible for protecting our children work together with greater purpose, clarity, and accountability,” Minister Garcia-Ramirez said. “Through this Committee, we are placing children at the center of our decisions and strengthening our collective ability to ensure that every child in Belize is safe, heard, supported, and able to thrive.”

The Committee is chaired by Justice Natalie Dixon, reflecting the Judiciary’s critical role in advancing child-friendly justice. The Director of the Department of Human Services serves as Vice-Chair, while NCFC serves as Secretariat.

During the launch, Justice Dixon outlined the Committee’s mandate and strategic direction. She explained that the CPJSC will not manage individual cases but will serve as a national oversight and coordination body, supporting the implementation and monitoring of child protection and child justice reforms.

Its five strategic priorities are strengthening the national child protection system; modernizing the child justice system; expanding prevention and early intervention; improving data, monitoring, and accountability; and strengthening the workforce serving children and families.

“The establishment of the CPJSC demonstrates Belize’s commitment to ensuring that every child grows up safe, protected, and supported,” said Sajid Ali, UNICEF Representative for Belize. “Strong coordination and accountability are essential to building a child protection system that can effectively respond to the needs of children and families.”

The Committee’s work will be guided by a five-year action plan for 2026–2031, aligned with Belize’s national development goals, the Children’s Agenda, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The partners recognize the leadership of Justice Dixon as Chair, the coordinating role of NCFC, the Ministry’s leadership in child protection and social services, UNICEF Belize’s continued technical partnership, the support of the Office of the Attorney General, and all participating agencies.

Through the CPJSC, Belize is advancing one shared vision: stronger coordination, better protection, and better outcomes for every child.

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