What we do

We support government & non-governmental partners to promote & fulfill the rights of children. #ForEveryChild

Jamaica 0000067

Our goal is to help to fulfil the rights of every child. 

We pursue this goal by partnering with stakeholders such as the government, non-governmental organizations, change-makers in civil society and the private sector to influence and improve laws, policies, and programmes which will impact how children access quality services. We are in a unique position to collaborate with everyone including advocates and service providers who work closely with children and their families, as well as the elected leaders who are responsible to ensure that laws and policies are in line with children's rights. Most importantly, we integrate the voices of our children and adolescents by engaging them on the issues that affect their lives.

Focusing our attention on children in vulnerable situations, we have five priority areas in the Jamaica country programme document (2022 to 2026)

1.    Child protection
2.    Climate action and resilience 
3.    Education
4.    Social policy 
5.    Survive and thrive

Everything we do is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Jamaica ratified in 1991. Informed by Vision 2030 Jamaica, our work contributes to the nation’s development priorities, which are also outlined in the:
 
•    2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda) and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
•    Regional goals of the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (UNMSDCF) and 
•    UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

We work in five key areas

Child protection

Preventing and responding to all forms of violence against Jamaican children remains a major priority for UNICEF.

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Climate action and resilience

Promoting urgent and participatory climate action, sustainable development and enhancing the resilience and participation of children.

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Education

Jamaica’s children have lost an estimated 1.3 billion in-class hours due to COVID-19 school closures.

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Social policy

Inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems and services to free children from poverty.

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Survive and thrive

For every Jamaican child to get the best possible start to life

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Protecting children's rights

Discover our work for every child, here in Jamaica.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Resources to help families develop coping strategies during the pandemic

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Safe Journey to School

Every child should have safe journeys to and from school, whether they walk, ride, take public transportation or travel in private vehicles.

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Get in the MICS, 2022

One of the largest sources of statistically sound and internationally comparable data on children and women, worldwide.

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