Spotlight Initiative launches baseline study report with key data on perceptions and norms on violence against women and girls and family violence

BELIZE CITY, Belize – The Spotlight Initiative collected reference data to understand the views of men and women in Belize. The study was conducted during November 2020 and February 2021. 1,254 community members from different ethnicities across the country between the ages of 18 and 49 participated in a Knowledge Attitudes, Behaviour and Practices Survey; 48 individuals representing government and civil society participated in key informant interviews, which captured respondents’ views and knowledge regarding several aspects of violence against women and girls (VAWG), family violence, gender equality and non-discrimination in Belize; and desk review was conducted using available national documents, interventions and campaigns that respond to VAWG. The data and key findings will be used to measure impact both during and after the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative to further develop and adapt the design of the programme and target interventions.

An official launch of the report was held virtually with the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, European Union, Civil Society Organizations and key government and non-government stakeholders. The launch introduced the data and provided key information and recommendations for critical interventions based on the data and analysis.

Some key findings of the report showed that 11.2% of respondents agreed that a man is justified in beating his partner; with individuals in rural areas slightly more likely to agree. The report also showed that women are most comfortable reporting gender-based violence (GBV) to the police. Conversely, it revealed that women are less comfortable reporting through the health system. The report also revealed institutional barriers such as the use of multiple and siloed data management systems related to the collection and reporting of VAWG and family violence. This signals the need for stakeholders to integrate data collection and improve coordination mechanisms to effectively monitor and respond to VAWG including family violence.  

The three volumes of the Baseline Study Report are available on https://belize.un.org/en/resources/publications.

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