Sierra Leone abolishes child marriage in a historic legislation that came after long struggle

In a landmark decision, Sierra Leone’s parliament has approved a law regarding the abolition of child marriage in the country. The new decision is touted as a major victory in the African nation which is already reeling through a grievous economic crisis.

According to Africa News, the law criminalizes marrying girls under 18 years of age and also prescribes jail time to the offenders for up to 15 years. Child marriage has been one of the biggest problems in Central Western and Central African nations. According to UNICEF, one-third of all girls are married before their 18th birthday in the West African country.

Sierra Leone itself is home to 800,000 child brides, 400,000 of whom were married before age 15, the UN body says.

A cause close to the country’s First Lady

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Shortly after the historic law was announced, the First Lady of the Republic Of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, took to X, formally known as Twitter, to express her delight over the matter.

“Sierra Leone’s Parliament today unanimously passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, a crucial piece of legislation that I championed. This private member’s bill outlaws child marriage, a harmful practice that has long plagued the nation,” the First Lady of the African nation wrote on X.

Sierra Leone's Parliament today unanimously passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, a crucial piece of legislation that I championed.

This private member's bill outlaws child marriage, a harmful practice that has long plagued the nation.

The bill seeks to… pic.twitter.com/vzpuqhkQu7

— H. E. Fatima Maada Bio (@FirstLadyBio) June 20, 2024

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“We have the responsibility to protect our children from early marriage. I expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parliamentarians. Your dedication to this cause, despite the inevitable political differences that arise, is a testament to your shared belief in the importance of the early child marriage bill. This bill represents a significant step forward in protecting the rights of our next generation and a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose,” she added.

Bio has been one of the strongest advocates against the social evil that has decaying African society for decades and has been calling for women, girls, and gender equality issues from the grassroots level right to the United Nations.

Her flagship campaign “Hands Off Our Girls” has significantly reduced sexual and gender-based violence (SGVB), early marriage, teenage pregnancy and child trafficking in the country.

With inputs from agencies.