Children are at risk
Jamaican children living in poverty have limited access to education, health services and social protection. They are faced with high levels of violence at home or in communities from an early age. Girls are more likely to be victims of sexual violence than boys. Due to the difficult social and economic situation, many children lose parental care and are therefore vulnerable to exploitation.
85%
Of children in Jamaica experience violent discipline
Violence against children
Around 85% of children experienced violent discipline in Jamaica. When children are subjected to violence from such an early age, it has a significant impact on their physical and mental health, life and school achievements.
Children experience violence at home, school and in the local community, often from family members or people they know and trust. For many, violence is part of their everyday life. Children, young people and families need support so that they can lead a life free from violence.
190,000
Children in Jamaica live in poverty
Children living in poverty
Rural areas of Jamaica tend to have higher poverty rates than cities. Poverty affects many aspects of children’s lives including health and education. Whether children go to school or not is often linked to family circumstance such as the income and educational levels of parents.
Families with many children especially struggle to feed their children nutritional foods, this can lead to malnutrition and stunting which affects brain development.
30%
Of all first births were to girls under 17 years old
Young mothers need support
Jamaica has the third highest teen pregnancy rates in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Many adolescent girls don’t have access to sexual reproductive health education or contraception. Pregnancy is one of the main factors for girls dropping out of school.
In Jamaica pregnant girls are excluded from attending public educational institutions by law. These girls are in need of special support to help them complete their education while pregnant and learning to be a mother.
Together we can make a difference for children in Jamaica
40
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
Are supported on their way to independence
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SOS Children’s Villages works to protect the rights and privacy of children. As you may notice, we do not show any identifiable photos of children in general information about Jamaica. This is because we have limited permission from the children and/or their legal guardians (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica).
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives