Raise age of consent to 18 to combat teenage pregnancies, says Crawford
If Opposition Spokesman on Education Damion Crawford has his way, the age of consent in Jamaica would move from 16 to 18 years.
He made the call for the age to be increased in light of what he described as a consistently high rate of teenage pregnancy in the country. He was speaking Tuesday during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.
Crawford told the House that on average, 6,000 schoolgirls get pregnant each year, forcing them to drop out of school.
“This is a major problem that we have to consider. Teen pregnancy has become a problem in this country,” Crawford said.
“We therefore are asking for a reconsideration once again of the age of consent, and I once again believe that this Parliament should consider the movement from 16 to 18 as we move from a five-year secondary institution to a seven-year secondary experience going forward,” he added.
