Friday, 10th November 2023, the National Assembly of Belize in collaboration with the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC), the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology hosted another successful Children’s Parliament. On this special day, Members of Parliament, parents, principals, and teachers watched as the young Parliamentarians debated on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill, 2023, Bill for an Act to provide for the prohibition of solemnisation of child marriages; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

 

The Special Sitting of the House of Representatives began shortly after 9:00 A.M. with Ms. Angelique Itzab leading the Belize National Prayer.

Following prayers, the Honourable Speaker, Ms. Reya Chi, gave a brief announcement on the endorsement of the 2021 Children’s Parliament Bill by the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries on Criminal Code.

Next, the Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous People’s Affairs, Hon. Alyssa Bell, introduced the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill, 2023. The Bill was referred to the Health and Human Development Committee, returned to the House to be debated, and was passed without amendment and the Special Sitting of the House of Representatives adjourned around 11:05 A.M.

 

Momentarily after the adjournment of the Special Sitting of the House of Representatives, the Special Sitting of the Senate commenced a little after 11:00 A.M. with Ms. Angelique Itzab leading the Belize National Prayer.

After prayers, the Honourable President, Mr. Emerson Tzalam, gave an announcement on the endorsement of the 2022 Children’s Parliament Bill by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology on Vocational Education Development.

Next, the Honourable Leader of Government Business, Ms. Sole Meighan, introduced the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill, 2023. The Senators confidently debated the Bill with passion. As a result, the Bill was passed by the Senate without amendment and the Special Sitting of the Senate adjourned around 12:15 P.M.

 

Following the proceedings was an award ceremony where the Children Parliamentarians received their awards for participating in the National event. Apart from the individual awards, an additional five plaques were awarded for the following categories:

  1. Distinguish Parliamentarian Award for the House of Representatives;
  2. Distinguish Parliamentarian Award for the Senate;
  3. Emergent Leadership Award;
  4. Outstanding Achiever Award; and
  5. Goodwill Ambassador Award.

 

The Receivers of the awards are as follows:

  1. Ryan Castellanos;
  2. Karleen Tun;
  3. Carlos Nah;
  4. Sabrina Enright; and
  5. Sole Meighan

 

This captures the events of this Year’s National Children’s Parliament.

 

 

 

 

 

For access to the live broadcast of the event, kindly see the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/datPHbxTk3o?si=sDaIL6s2C0tyMz6s

https://fb.watch/oe59NJrwrV/?mibextid=NnVzG8