COUNTRY:  BELIZE.

Belize has taken a significant step toward improving the protection and welfare of children with the launch of the Child Protection and Child Justice Steering Committee (CPJSC). Established through a partnership between the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC), the Judiciary of Belize, the Office of the Attorney General, and UNICEF Belize, the committee is designed to strengthen coordination among institutions responsible for safeguarding children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

The CPJSC replaces two separate national bodies with a single coordinating mechanism to improve collaboration and accountability across government agencies, the justice sector and civil society. Guided by a five-year action plan (2026–2031), the committee will focus on five priorities: strengthening the child protection system, modernizing 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.

Government leaders described the initiative as a long-term investment in the country’s future, emphasizing that protecting children requires cooperation across multiple institutions rather than isolated efforts. UNICEF welcomed the creation of the committee, saying it will help ensure that every child in Belize has access to a safer, more responsive protection and justice system. 

Photo: Amandala