The Women's Centre in Jamaica: An Innovative Project for Adolescent Mothers

In 1978 the Jamaican Womens Bureau established the Womens Centre the 1st project in the developing world to help pregnant teenagers avoid the usual hardships of poverty and dependence. The women take courses in academic subjects and prenatal and postnatal health and receive good medical care. Fathers and parents are involved in counseling sessions where practical life skills including family planning are emphasized. The young mothers improve dramatically in self confidence self esteem and in their ability to take care of their babies. The Centres success has helped to loosen the policies of the Jamaican government on the education of pregnant school age women. (authors modified)