Belize

Belize is located on the Yucatán Peninsula and its residents are mainly of the Hispanic, Creole, Maya, and Garifuna cultures. Christianity is the predominant religion. Belize ranked 88th of 134 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2009 Global Gender Gap Report. Women enjoy legal equality but suffer from limited educational and employment opportunities and high rates of violence against women. Many also endure poverty and inadequate living conditions.

Society places a high value on church marriages. Fertility rates are high and infant mortality rates have been declining, resulting in large family sizes. The 2009 fertility rate was 3 births per woman with an infant mortality rate of 14 per 1,000 live births and a [Page 147]maternal mortality rate of 52 per 100,000 live births. Illegitimate ...