By Belize Live News Staff: The National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC) culminated a nationwide campaign aimed at eradicating child marriages in the country with a final impactful session in Belmopan on August 29th. The initiative, ignited by a passionate debate within the Children’s Parliament last year, seeks to elevate the legal marriage age in Belize to 18. This move directly addresses a prevalent issue, particularly within indigenous communities residing in the rural areas of the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.
Shakira Sutherland, Executive Director of the NCFC, highlighted the urgency of the situation, citing alarming statistics that place Belize among Caribbean nations with the highest rates of child marriages. The campaign fervently advocates for safeguarding children from the myriad challenges associated with early marriage, ultimately paving the way for brighter futures.
Beyond raising the legal marriage age, the reform movement also pushes for raising the consent age from 16 to 18. This aligns with the voices of children who boldly championed this change during the Children’s Parliament. Sutherland underscored the NCFC’s unwavering commitment to ensuring these youthful voices resonate and lead to concrete legislative action.
The Belmopan session marked the culmination of a countrywide endeavor, serving as a powerful reminder of the imperative to eliminate child marriages in Belize once and for all.
