Youth Senators Debate Gender Equality in Mock Senate Sitting

The momentum of the Youth Parliament continued into the afternoon at the National Assembly in Belmopan as participants in the Young Women in Leadership (YWiL) Programme transitioned into the Senate chamber for a dynamic mock sitting of the Upper House.  Following the morning’s proceedings in the House of Representatives, the youth senators convened at one-thirty this afternoon, engaging in debate and deliberation on key issues, including gender equality and women’s empowerment. Leading Government Youth Senator for Business, Maslin Hanson, presented the declaration before the Senate, outlining its core principles and emphasizing the importance of advancing policies that promote the inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making spaces.

On the opposition side, Youth Senator Kiah Pastor delivered a spirited contribution to the debate, at one point taking aim at the historical shortcomings of male leadership while underscoring the need for stronger female representation in governance.

The afternoon session mirrored the energy and passion displayed earlier in the day, with youth senators confidently articulating their positions and demonstrating a firm grasp of parliamentary procedure.  Today’s youth parliament marks a symbolic and practical investment in the next generation of leaders, coming just ahead of the official budget debates scheduled to begin in the National Assembly on Monday.