Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness of Lesbian and Bisexual Women, more commonly known as
PETAL, are a Belize-based
non-governmental organisation that advocate for and provide support services to LGBT women in
Belize.
History PETAL were established in 2011 by Marla Simone Hill, then Vice President of the United Belize Advocacy Movement, who had observed 'that very little advocacy was being done for the women in the LGBT community [of Belize].' The following year, the organisation engaged the support of social activist Abigail McKay, and began
Conversations, their hallmark programme, deemed 'a critical component of PETAL's work.' In 2015, they secured a six-month grant from the United Belize Advocacy Movement, and registered as a not-for-profit
non-governmental organisation on 29 December 2015, with a
pro tempore board consisting of Simone Hill, Ifáṣínà Efunyemi, Charrice Talbert, and Abigail McKay. Their inaugural general meeting was held in December 2018, with an active membership of 'over 60 women.'
Activities PETAL aim 'to achieve social, economic and gender justice for all women in Belize[,] especially [lesbian and bisexual] women[,] through advocacy and empowerment.' Their 'signature' programme is '
Conversations, 'a safe and brave space in which women sit together in a circle to learn, share, listen and support each other,' held since 2012. Other notable programmes include an annual conference during
International Women's Day, a
Valentine's Day gala, family programming during
Mother's Day, monthly
gender-based violence outreach, and various sensitisation and awareness workshops. By 2019, PETAL had an active membership of 75 women across the country, and were serving 'more than 100 women and girls.' == Belize Youth Empowerment for Change ==