Using Data to Better Understand the Needs of Belize 

The Statistical Institute of Belize and UNICEF have teamed up, once again to host a data needs assessment workshop for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. This survey is used to gather critical data that will inform policies and programmes to improve the lives of women and children in Belize. The workshop consisted of participants from across the country and representatives from the S.I.B. and UNICEF. We spoke with Wendy Benavides, Mixed Coordinator at S.I.B. for more information on the training. Here’s more on that.

 

Wendy Benavides, Mixed Coordinator, S.I.B.

“So we have a group of trainees from across the country. People from Corozal, in Orange Walk, down to Toledo district that are here on their first day of training. We’re going to be training them for a duration of four and a half weeks. We have here field supervisors and interviewers. Then we’re going to be joined later on August first with other persons and their role will be that of measures.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So this training is supposed to benefit women and children in Belize. What type of strategies are they learning in order to achieve that?”

 

Wendy Benavides

“So we’re going to give them a walkthrough of all the topics in the questionnaires. We have questionnaires related to, in general, the household characteristics, getting information on all members of the household. We’re going to also inform them about the purpose of it. The use of the data. We’re going to invite some experts that are knowledgeable on the topics and for them to be knowledgeable of what or how the information have been, has been used in previous rounds of the mix.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So how is this supposed to affect Belize and benefit the country?”

 

Wendy Benavides

“So we want to, mostly this information will be helpful in to help in the identifying or getting more information to close the data gaps. So there is some outdated information there. We have done the mix, the last mix was done in 2015. So you want updated information for the policy makers to make informed decisions.”