In a landmark move to protect the rights of young girls, President Julius Maada Bio has signed into law a bill that bans child marriage in Sierra Leone. This new legislation, which was approved by Parliament last month, criminalizes the act of marrying girls below the age of 18, imposing stringent penalties on offenders.
The law stipulates that those found guilty of marrying minors will face a minimum of 15 years in prison or a fine exceeding $2,000. This decisive action comes in response to alarming statistics from UNICEF, which revealed that in 2017, Sierra Leone had 800,000 wives under the age of 18.
UNICEF’s acting chief of child protection, Neha Naidu, lauded the government’s decision, emphasizing its importance for the future of the country’s young girls. “This law marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of Sierra Leone’s children. It sends a clear message that child marriage is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Naidu stated.
Child marriage has been a persistent issue in Sierra Leone, with far-reaching consequences on the health, education, and overall development of young girls. The new legislation aims to combat these negative impacts and promote gender equality by providing girls with the opportunity to complete their education and achieve their full potential.
President Bio’s administration has been vocal about its commitment to advancing the rights of women and children, and this new law is a testament to that pledge. The government, alongside various international organizations and civil society groups, plans to implement comprehensive awareness campaigns to ensure that communities understand the implications of the new law and support its enforcement.
