The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) and UNICEF Jamaica will be launching the Empowered Futures Parenting Curriculum on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 1:30 PM at the Terra Nova Hotel.

The Parenting Curriculum forms part of the Foundation’s Parenting Programme, comprehensive, evidence-informed initiative, designed to support adolescent mothers in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to raise their children in nurturing, non-violent, and responsive ways.

The Empowered Futures Parenting Curriculum, a product of the collaborative efforts of UNICEF Jamaica and the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR) at the University of the West Indies, draws on the latest research and feedback from both facilitators and participants.

Minister with portfolio responsibility for Gender, the Honourable Olivia Grange, who will deliver the keynote address at the launch, endorses the curriculum as timely and offering much needed support to adolescent mothers.  

“Empowering adolescent mothers to successfully navigate the challenges of parenthood is vital to the future of our society. This curriculum, and by extension the Parenting Programme, supports young mothers by equipping them with the skills to raise their children in nurturing and safe environments, which aligns with our Vision 2030 goals and the Sustainable Development Goals,” asserts Minister Grange.

Funded by UNICEF Jamaica, with an investment of over JMD 10 million, this curriculum brings a fresh approach, incorporating evidence-based strategies to foster positive parenting techniques, enhance early childhood development, and reduce the risk of violence in homes.

UNICEF Jamaica’s Representative, Mr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, says that he is pleased that the organization was able to offer strong support for the initiative.

“This Programme represents a critical investment in Jamaica’s future. By equipping adolescent mothers with the right parenting tools, we are breaking cycles of violence and ensuring their children have the best start in life. UNICEF is proud to be part of this transformative initiative,” shared Mr. Mohiuddin.

As part of the overall Programme’s implementation plan, UNICEF will work with the WCJF to explore the use of its RapidPro software, a communication tool that allows for the dissemination of parenting messages to adolescent mothers, providing ongoing support beyond the group sessions.

Key Programme Components

The empowered Futures Parenting Curriculum informed by the Reach Up curriculum, developed by the CAIHR-UWI, features 12 weekly sessions. These sessions focus on knowledge-sharing through parenting sessions that build the capacity of young mothers. Additionally, the Programme includes supervised ‘Learning Through Play’ sessions, where participants and their children use self-made or locally produced toys and books to improve parent-child interactions and develop essential skills for early childhood development. The Programme focuses on building the practical skills young mothers need to engage in positive parenting practices.

This Curriculum launch is a significant step towards achieving Jamaica’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 1, 4, and 11, which focus on reducing poverty, improving education, and fostering sustainable communities.

About the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF)

The WCJF, established in 1978, is dedicated to providing education and sexual and reproductive health support services to adolescent mothers across Jamaica. Through its 10 main Centres and 8 outreach stations, the Foundation works to ensure school-aged mothers can continue their education while developing the skills needed for successful parenting and life.

Event Details:

• Event: Launch of the Empowered Futures Parenting Curriculum
• Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
• Time: 1:30 PM
• Venue: Terra Nova Hotel
• Remarks: Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport
• Greetings from Mr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, UNICEF Representative

 

Contact:

Novlette Howell

Executive Director

ed@womenscentreja.com

876-517-1148