Reposted May 17th, 2013
The
Channel five report was entitled ” Gender policy updated and it is
against discrimination by sexual orientation” a telling title that
demonstrates how far we have come in our discussion about gender. More
importantly, most would not know that our involvement informing the gender
policy really started in our contribution to the situation analysis that was
produced by Adele Catzim-Sanchez that dialogue goes back 2009 that was advanced in 2010 at the Women’s
Issues Network Office and in our National Advocacy Working group (N.A.W.G) when
as a coalition, we had to beat back efforts to regress women’s health back to
the dark ages. The nuggets in the gender policy includes the following:
One of the principles in the gender policy is that it recognize respect
for diversity and does not shy away from using the term sexual orientation . It spoke to
eliminating “gender base discrimination at all levels of the education
system” that the Belize government will ‘ take special legal and
infrastructure measures to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups…(men who
have sex with men..). Establish a mechanism for redress of all forms of discrimination…as
well as legal assistance by the government for advancing cases of
discrimination through the justice system. Create an anti-discrimination law
that includes the elimination of all forms of gender related discrimination…We
have never seen such progressive language in any policy document in my 10 years of work.
I don’t normally have much good to say about government, but this was certainly
a progressive stance taken and can be an example of leadership for the
Caribbean.
Now its our time, and its my feeling that we will have a history of defending
women’s health, for its my belief that if they loose their health rights we are
made weaker in our efforts to demand rights enforcement. More importantly women
cannot be allowed to go backwards in labor and political movement for they have
a multiplier effect in the community. The time for higher social and political
involvement of women is here.
It was the most exciting time to be at the Biltmore to see the Gender Policy launched with the most progressive language yet that was approved by cabinet. Adele Catizm-Sanchez spoke to the issue on channel seven when she said,
“It also includes sexual harassment that happens within the work
place and it includes rape that happens either at home or on the streets
but it also includes all the harassment and the discrimination against
persons because of their gender, orientation or sexual identity. One of
the things that we had to make sure, for example, is that sexual
minority issues are also represented in the national gender policy
because gender orientation is also a gender issue.”
Granted the gender policy spoke of many diverse issues like sexual and reproductive health services, labor inequity, discrimination against older persons, commercials sexual exploitation etc that cover the life cycle of women, girls, men and boys in this country. However, for purposes of this article, I will seek to focus only on L.G.B.T. issues.
Ann-Marie Williams: continued the conversation with the following quote on channel seven news in the following way:
– it also speaks to
what is called gender identity. That sounds suspiciously like that
hot-button issue L.B.G.T, or what might be called UNIBAM. Interesting
because in court the state is upholding anti-sodomy laws, so we tried to
get some clarification.”
The challenge in this interview is that Ann Marie presumes,correctly, that she does not have a formal position on section 53 and recognizes that should be expressed directly from the National Women’s Commission. It can be argued that formal position comes within the context of the gender policy itself, starting with the principle of respecting diversity. Still, the point can be made that perception is relative.
Reporter
“I’m asking if the women’s commission supports the removal of that
portion of the penal code regarding sodomy because you say you are
referring to sexual orientation.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Regarding the code, I cannot speak for the women’s commission and
we never had a statement out on that but the policy speaks to the
constitution. Part of the preamble of the policy speaks that in 1981
the constitution says that all citizens of Belize are part of this
gender equality mix and that they are…”
Reporter
“But they did not refer to sexual orientation”
Ann-Marie Williams
“I’m telling you, they’re part of the gender equality mix and they
should not be discriminated against, regardless of their race, color,
creed, political affiliations, or sex and is part of the preamble policy
and is the constitution”
Reporter
“So basically you are saying the policy and the constitution supports UNIBAM, that’s what you are saying?’
Ann-Marie Williams
“I am not saying that and don’t try to put me to saying that; the policy
is saying that all Belizeans have a right to non discrimination
regardless of race, sex, color or creed and make sure you quote me
correctly.”
Nevertheless, the document speaks for itself and is an acknowledgement of the rights of women, girls, men, boys and L.G.B.T citizens who are part of the gender construct of this society. When comparing this interview with channel five, reporter Jose Sanchez , the interview,clearly maintains a bias either because of lacking knowledge or refusing to reflecting critically on fundamental rights and freedoms.
Jose Sanchez report gave a brief history of the gender policy and coverage of the CEO Alpuche comments spoke of the document as ” robust” and she called it “Vale la pena” because the document is well thought out and comprehensive. According to the document it identifies and examines
inequities experienced by men and women while suggesting ways to
correct gender disparities and implementation of relevant policies. The interview with Jose Sanchez continued in the following way with Anne Marie Williams:
Jose Sanchez
“According to what you have here in respect for diversity, refers
to sexual orientation. Is the women commission going against the grain
and supports UNIBAM? I see Mr. Caleb Orozco is also here in full support
you.”
Ann-Marie Williams, Women’s Commission
“I invited Caleb because Caleb works as a member of the N.G.O. community, but I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”
Jose Sanchez
“I am asking you if the Women’s Commission supports the removal of
that portion of the penal code regarding sodomy because you are
referring to sexual orientation in relation to diversity.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Well, regarding the code I cannot speak for the Women’s
Commission. And we never had a statement out on that. But the policy
speaks to the constitution. Part of the preamble of the policy speaks
that in 1981, the constitution says that all citizens of Belize are part
of this gender equality, mixed…”
Jose Sanchez
“But it didn’t refer to sexual orientation.
What Jose Sanchez does not know is that the issue of sex being inclusive of sexual orientation is not a new one. Justice Cawich back in 2004 in in Oscar Selgado vs Attorney General Office, Minister of defense and Security Services Commission pointed out the following in his judgement,” Captain Selgado might have put up a formidable sex discrimination case under S: 16 of the Constitution of Belize, even a constitutional motion case, had he owned up to homosexuality.” what the statement reveals is that until L.G.B.T citizens are prepared to fight discrimination in the court, advancement of rights will remain difficult and the wider society will remain confused or resistant to the idea our fundamental rights and freedoms are the same. Rights defense is only limited by our willigness to act and defend our rights as human beings, to love and ensure our security as we work to mainstream our concerns.
Source: http://7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=25530