The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) is a limited liability company under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister. One of its priorities, the programme for Adolescent Mothers, is aimed at assisting pregnant girls, 17 and under to continue their secondary education.

 

The programme was established in 1978 in response to a high level of teenage pregnancy at the time. In 1991, the programme gained Foundation status; being named the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) and was placed within a ministry portfolio.

 

The programme started with one centre at 42 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10 and has since expanded to seven (7) main centres and eight (8) outreach stations islandwide.

 

Under the programme, girls who have dropped out of school due to pregnancy are allowed to continue their education at the Women’s Centres nearest to them for at least one term, and are subsequently returned to the formal school system after the birth of their babies.