Crawford pushes for age of consent to be lifted to 18 amid teen pregnancy concerns

Jamaica's age of consent should be lifted from 16 to 18 years, according to Opposition Spokesman on Education Damion Crawford, who tied the proposal to what he says is a stubbornly high level of teenage pregnancy across the island.

Crawford put forward the proposal on Tuesday as he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

He told fellow lawmakers that, on average, 6,000 schoolgirls become pregnant in Jamaica each year and are forced to abandon their studies as a result.

“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.

Crawford linked the proposed change to the planned shift from a five-year secondary school cycle to a seven-year experience, arguing the legal threshold should track the longer time young people will spend in school.