KINGSTON, Jamaica – Senator Sandrea Falconer, information minister, left the island for Belize this morning to attend a specially convened Round Table on Adolescent Pregnancy in the Caribbean. She will be representing Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

The forum will take place tomorrow in Belize City.

Minister Falconer will deliver the prime minister’s address to the meeting and participate in the call to action discussion on the issue.

The regional round table is being held within the context of the CARICOM Integrated Strategic Framework for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the Caribbean and seeks to mobilise, support and establish a strong network of spouses of Caribbean heads of State to champion the cause.

According to the UN, Jamaica, Belize and Guyana are regional countries where adolescent fertility rates are above the regional average.

Some causes of adolescent pregnancy include social exclusion, poverty, marginalisation, and gender inequality. It often leads to detrimental consequences to the health and well-being of the teen mothers.

This regional round table is expected to not only develop critical support for the CARICOM Framework, but also galvanise support for common position on the issue.

Minister Falconer is expected to return to the island on June 26.