Voices of Belize's Youth Parliament

November 20 is World Children’s Day a date that may seem ordinary to some, but for advocates, leaders, and initiatives like the National Children’s Parliament (NCP), and institutions such as UNICEF, the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC), PAHO, and the National Assembly, it’s a powerful reminder: children must be seen, heard, and included in every decision that shapes their future.

Cohort 5 was accepted in March 2024, but unlike previous parliaments that convened in November of the same year, our sitting took place in November 2025. That delay became a blessing. It gave us a full year to prepare, to grow, and to bond, not just as teammates, but as family. Through sessions on good governance, public speaking, youth sports, and General Comment 27 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), we sharpened our skills and strengthened our voices.

Belize ratified the CRC in 1990, affirming that children’s rights are central to national development. Article 13 guarantees our right to speak, be heard, and be taken seriously by adults and leaders. Article 14 ensures our right to seek information freely. The NCP brought these commitments to life: children advocating for children, shaping the future of Belize.

The theme “My Day… My Rights!” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a declaration. It means children in Belize deserve more than token recognition; we deserve platforms, policies, and protection. That’s exactly what the National Children’s Parliament (NCP) offers. Through NCFC’s partnership with UNICEF, the National Assembly, and other organizations, we were empowered to propose real legislation. Cohort 4’s bill to raise the legal age for early unions and marriage from 16 to 18 was passed. That’s true impact!

This year, I stood as a child parliamentarian to support a bill that would allow adolescents aged 14 and older to access preventive health services without parental consent. I am 100% for this bill, not because I want to encourage risky behavior or remove parents from their children’s lives, but because I want to protect those whose home environment may not support their needs. Silence and shame do not prevent behavior, but they only increase the danger.

As someone who aspires to be Belize’s first female Prime Minister, this initiative was exactly what I envisioned. It gave me a firsthand view of our political system, and it aligned with NCFC’s mission: to help children become better leaders of the future.

In everything we do, there will always be opposition. But we rise anyway. Because “My Day… My Rights!” is not just about celebration, but it’s about transformation. The National Children’s Parliament proved that when children are given the space to lead, they don’t just speak; they shape the nation.