
The AFJ and the WCJF Have Collaborated to Present the 2019 Teen Mother’s Symposium in Kingston, Jamaica
New York, NY — The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) and the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) will stage a Teen Mother’s Symposium on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the Jamaica Conference Center in Kingston, Jamaica.
Teenage pregnancy is a challenge in many countries. It is associated with a range of problems that include early mortality, unsafe abortions, sexual and verbal abuse, domestic violence, exclusion from society, and school dropout among others. The objectives of the symposium are to bring stakeholders, researchers, policy makers, influencers and young mothers together to deliberate and highlight the next step to address the teenage pregnancy issue and to provide recommendations to young mothers for charting a path to achieve independent lives.
In order to reduce the high teenage pregnancy rate and mitigate the effects on teen mothers in Jamaica, presenters will highlight relevant topics, involving parenting skills, life skills, contraception, self-empowerment, career path, and money management. The keynote address will be delivered by Ms. Diahann Harrison, Children Advocate.
Members of the AFJ Board will be present and will participate during the symposium. Commitment of in-kind donations have been secured from Cari-Med Ltd., Kirk Distributors Limited, National Bakery Company, the Best Dressed Chicken and donators from the Diaspora Community.
The Symposium is sponsored by Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, The American Friends of Jamaica, UNICEF, Cari- Med Ltd., Kirk Distributors Limited, National Bakery Company and the Best Dressed Chicken.
About the WCJF
Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) offers a nurturing environment to help break the cycle of dysfunction for the teenage mothers and their children. Building awareness with young mothers to help resuscitate their lives improve access to education, subsequent economic empowerment, while promoting the psychological and social well- being of young women.