Adolescent development and participation
UNICEF supports the right of all young people to have a say in matters which affect them, and have those views respected.
The challenge
Significant economic disparity has led to rapid demographic and social change in Belize. High rates of violent crime and gang activity, particularly on the south side of Belize City (the main metropolis), affect adolescents and youths, at times to the extent of losing family members and peers to gun violence. Many live in unsafe neighborhoods, have little say in the way their communities are run, and experience sexual and physical violence in their homes, or from people they know and trust.
Of Belize’s small population of 400,000, almost half is under the age of 18. These young people in Belize need to participate in decision-making that can affect their education, health, safety and well-being.
The traditional silencing of adolescents often lets abuse continue unchecked. There is a need to build a culture of speaking out, finding and providing the right channels to do so, to empower Belizean adolescents and youth to expose violations of their rights.
We must reach out to marginalized groups, ensuring socially excluded girls and boys are included and provided with safe spaces and the means to participate.
Adolescents in Belize face a range of interconnected challenges that affect their health, well-being and future opportunities. Limited access to adolescent-friendly health services, mental health support, and accurate information, particularly on sexual and reproductive health, continues to impact their ability to make informed decisions.
At the same time, harmful social norms, stigma, and unequal access to services create barriers for many young people, especially those who are most vulnerable. Opportunities for meaningful participation in decision-making are still evolving, leaving many adolescents without platforms to express their views and influence issues that directly affect their lives.
Ensuring that adolescents are supported, informed, and empowered is essential not only for their development, but for the sustainable growth of Belize.
The solution
Adolescent participation is embodied in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Article 12 and applies to all children capable of forming an opinion.
We must reach out to marginalized groups, ensuring socially excluded girls and boys are included and provided with safe spaces and the means to participate.
UNICEF works with the Government of Belize and partners to ensure that every adolescent is healthy, empowered, protected, and able to participate meaningfully in society.
Our approach focuses on strengthening systems and services while upholding adolescents’ rights—particularly their right to health, information, and participation as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This includes:
- Expanding adolescent-friendly health and support services that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive
- Strengthening the capacity of teachers, youth workers, and service providers to support adolescents’ development and well-being
- Promoting mental health and psychosocial support, safe behaviours, and healthy decision-making
- Creating platforms for meaningful adolescent participation in policy dialogue and national decision-making
- Leveraging digital innovation to improve access to information, skills-building, and engagement.
Through these efforts, UNICEF is helping to build an enabling environment where adolescents can thrive, contribute, and reach their full potential
The Initiatives
UNICEF supports a range of programmes and partnerships that advance adolescent health, development, and participation in Belize:
Strengthening Adolescent Health and Services
- Training youth officers and frontline service providers in adolescent health, mental health, HIV awareness, and substance use prevention
- Supporting implementation of the Helping Adolescents Thrive (HAT) initiative, training over 200 teachers to create safe, supportive school environments
Promoting Youth Participation
- U-Report Belize: A digital platform engaging over 12,000 young people to share their views and inform decision-making
- U-Report Ambassadors Programme: Supporting youth-led initiatives and community action
- National Children’s Parliament: Providing a formal platform for adolescents to engage in national dialogue, including on adolescent health rights
Digital Innovation and Skills Building
- FunDoo: A digital life-coaching platform offering interactive learning on life skills, health, and topics such as HPV awareness and prevention
Creating Safe Spaces and Opportunities
- Strengthening Youth Hubs and community safe spaces for engagement, learning, and psychosocial support
- Supporting programmes that promote leadership, empowerment, and positive behaviours among adolescents
Strategic Partnerships
UNICEF works with partners including the Department of Youth Services, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Belize City Council, civil society organizations, and youth groups to expand opportunities for adolescents, improve service delivery, and strengthen youth engagement nationwide.
These initiatives ensure that adolescents are not only beneficiaries but active participants and leaders in shaping their communities and futures.
