Although we live in a country where all should be considered equal, everyday members of our community—especially women and girls, people living with disabilities and the LGBTQ community, experience discrimination at home, in the workplace and also in public spaces, because of who they are. As a result, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children, partnered with The National AIDS Commission, Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation,  to advocate against their unequal treatment in society and highlight the draft of the new Equal Opportunities Legislation.

​

The Equal Opportunities Legislation Consultations occurred throughout Belize allowing communities to embark in a national conversation about the importance of treating all Belizeans with respect and protecting everyone’s fundamental rights and freedoms despite their color, gender, class, age, disabilities, or even sexuality. The consultations included various organizations such as the media, churches, the business community, schools and many more.

​

Mrs. Barrow also supported the Live and Let campaign focused on elevating the stories of real people, who have faced discrimination – either personally or through the experience of their loved ones by including a series of public service announcements that included authentic stories of Belizeans and their families, explaining why they believe it’s time to treat all our neighbors with respect.

 

By partnering with both initiatives, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, hopes that Belizeans will experience a shift in their thoughts and actions and view everyone  with equality and fairness.