Senior Citizens Reach Out to Teen Mothers for IWD

The majority-female members of the St. Andrew branch of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) reached out to teen mothers at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation for International Women’s Day (IWD), engaging them in a session of empowerment and entertainment.

During a visit to the Trafalgar Road-based facility on March 6, the NCSC members led an interactive session featuring discussion on various issues and performances by the popular senior dance group, Recycled Teenagers.

A plaque was handed over to the Foundation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Regional Supervisor and Parish Organiser with the NCSC, Ingrid Hardy, said the day was organised to show the seniors that they still have a lot of contribution to make to society.

She noted that the women’s centre was selected by the group as a way of allowing the NCSC members to give back to the young ladies and motivate them to achieve success.

She noted that the ladies at the facility, who face many challenges, were encouraged to hold their heads high and #PressForProgress in keeping with the IWD campaign theme.

“They are vulnerable ladies in society, with unexpected pregnancies, so we went in this year to show them their worth, to empower them. We encouraged them to press for progress and referenced national and international women, who have performed exceptionally. We encouraged them that no matter what the situation is, if they continue their education, they can look forward to bigger and better things,” Mrs. Hardy said.

The NCSC Parish Manager noted that the seniors regularly visit with the teenagers at the women’s centre for art and craft activities, entertainment and to make donations. Some 2000 members of the St. Andrew branch of the NCSC are women.

The entity staged activities in other parishes in observance of IWD.