Sierra Leone ends child marriage with landmark legislation
Sierra Leone has enacted new legislation banning child marriage nationwide, regardless of religious or ethnic demands.
The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in the capital city of Freetown, where President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio were present.
At the event, the First Lady also launched the WeAreEqual Campaign, an initiative aimed at closing the gender gap by focusing on health, education, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment for women and girls, Fatu Network reports.
"At the #WeAreEqual campaign launch today at the Freetown Conference Centre, I signed the Prohibiting Child Marriage Bill into law. Fatima @FirstLadyBio has always championed women's and girls' rights issues with a very special passion. Together, we want to build an empowered Sierra Leone where women are given an even platform to reach their full potential. I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female. This and future generations of girls must thrive in a Sierra Leone in which they're protected, equal, and empowered," President Bio wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
First Lady Fatima Bio acknowledged the challenges in passing the legislation, a sentiment echoed by politicians and technocrats from both current and previous governments.
"This is not about me, my husband the President, or politics. It is about our women, our girls, and the future of this nation. Yes, it is about all of us," First Lady Fatima Bio told lawmakers before the bill became law.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 imposes severe penalties on individuals who marry minors and those who arrange or participate in such marriages. Under the new law, marrying individuals under the age of 18 is classified as a criminal offence. Offenders can face up to 15 years in prison and substantial fines.
