NGO In Northern Belize Appeals To Locals to Read and Understand Gender Policy
Jul 30, 2013
For the past few weeks we have seen hundreds of Belizeans come out in
support of the pro-constitution march led by Belize Action and Belize
Can. The two organizations led marches in all districts in a show of
protest against the gender policy in its present form. Now an
organization in Orange Walk town is doing something similar, just this
time it’s in support of the gender policy.
Tikkun Olam, an Orange Walk based NGO, seeking to educate Belizeans on
the benefits of the gender policy 2013 will start it off with a standoff
this Saturday in downtown Sugar City.
ELISA CASTELLANOS
“We are not organizing a march; it has been like a snowball
effect but what we are planning to do is an activity of a standing and
we want to send a strong message telling the public or asking and
advising the public to take time, take a stand and read the gender
policy. It is very important; we are not asking people to pick sides;
what we are asking is for people to read for themselves and come to an
opinion and come to an understanding of all the issues that the gender
policy takes on. This activity came about for me because I really felt
violated and I felt that people were throwing in words like,
‘homosexuality’ and ‘gay rights’ to cover up and take away importance
from the other issues which is that the gender policy is there as a tool
to help women and as a woman in the community, I would like to ensure
that there is a document out there that could be used as a tool for my
protection. At some point, I want to be married; at some point, I want
to have children; at some point, I have to access health services; at
some point, I want to develop myself as a woman in the community to be
able to further effect change and so that is the reason why I am doing
it. I am just a bit unnerved that it’s taken on such a different
connotation and people are throwing around words like, ‘homosexual’ or
‘LGBT rights’ and it’s really not about that. This initiative is
focused mainly on educating women and asking the public to really just
read the gender policy; read the Bible, read the Qur’an, read whatever
you want to read; just make sure you read, understand and can form your
own opinions and not let Church-led initiatives or any initiatives for
that matter, you don’t have to listen to me but I am asking you very
neutrally and objectively to read the gender policy.”
The NGO director says they have support from National AIDS Commission and PASMO as well.
ELISA CASTELLANOS
“Like I said, it’s not a grand initiative we’re inviting
everybody who supports the gender policy and who would like to really
send a message out there that it’s necessary to be read, they can join
us. You can find me on Facebook, Elisa Castellanos or my cell number at
623-9500 for any questions, comments or suggestions and please no
threats.”
Elisa Castellanos, Director of Tikul Olam.