Advocating for indigenous women in Belize

About the project

The Foundation’s capacity strengthening grants stream supports smaller Commonwealth civil society organisations in smaller Member States, building their expertise and enhancing their capacity to influence policy.

TMWC have had success advocating for indigenous women in Belize. Now, growth opportunities have emerged. The project will develop and implement a new strategic plan that strengthens capacity in communications and advocacy. It will engage indigenous women and girls to ensure programmes are better tailored to their needs.

The key actions for this project are:

• Holding workshops for staff and indigenous communities to produce a new strategic plan
• Assessing the needs of women and girls in 15 communities through focus groups, meetings and surveys
• Delivering advocacy and outreach programmes to promote the rights of indigenous women and girls
• Coordinating workshops and group exchanges to facilitate learning opportunities for beneficiaries
• Facilitating an annual leadership conference for women and girls from rural communities
• Strengthening TMWC’s relationships with community leaders, NGOs and other key local stakeholders
• Expanding campaigns on human rights, education and Gender Based Violence (16 Days of Activism) online and in the media

This project will advance TMWC’s work by ensuring a greater capacity to advocate for women and girls. The new strategic plan will better align TMWC’s strategy with its practices. Staff will better understand and advocate for women and girls from indigenous communities. The project hopes to empower indigenous women and girls to speak out against gender-based violence. It also hopes to provide them with opportunities for leadership and public participation regarding their health, education and economic empowerment.