SIB AND IDB CONDUCT DATA GAP ASSESSMENT OF GENDER AND DIVERSITY DATA IN BELIZE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SIB and IDB CONDUCT DATA GAP ASSESSMENT OF GENDER AND DIVERSITY DATA IN BELIZE

 BELMOPAN CITY, BELIZE, May 23, 2025 – This week, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), conducted an assessment on the availability of gender and diversity data in Belize.  This initiative forms part of SIB’s ongoing commitment to improving data on vulnerable populations, ensuring that no one is left behind in the design, implementation, and monitoring of national policies. It also promotes the broader goal of developing a statistical system more capable of supporting inclusive, evidence-based policy-making.

The assessment was carried out through a technical mission from May 21–23, 2025 at SIB’s headquarters in Belmopan.  As part of the exercise, the IDB team applied its Gender and Diversity Data Gap Assessment Tool to evaluate Belize’s existing data ecosystem. The tool was used to assess both the availability and quality of data disaggregated by gender and population group, while also examining how this information is collected, analyzed, and disseminated.

Engagements were held with SIB technical staff, other government agencies, and civil society organizations to review data sources such as censuses, household surveys, and administrative records. The discussions identified key gaps and challenges in capturing data for priority groups, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and LGBTIQ+ individuals.

This assessment represents the first phase of a wider project running from March to November 2025, which includes capacity-building workshops, strategic recommendations, and the development of an action plan to mainstream gender and diversity in national statistics. The next major activity will be a technical training workshop scheduled for August, aimed at equipping key data producers, including civil organizations, with practical skills to strengthen disaggregated data collection and analysis.

Ultimately, the project seeks to enhance institutional capacity, improve data harmonization, and ensure that all communities and identities in Belize are accurately represented in official statistics. By producing more inclusive and high-quality data, Belize will be better positioned to develop policies that are targeted, responsive, and equitable.

Through this collaborative effort, SIB reaffirms its commitment to inclusive development by ensuring Belize’s statistical systems are not only technically sound, but also truly reflective of the country’s diverse population.

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For more information, please contact:

Javier Romero
Communications and Marketing Officer
Statistical Institute of Belize
jromero@mail.sib.org.bz
+501 822 2207 ext. 209