- Child marriage is illegal in Sierra Leone
- The law aims to protect girls
- President Bio hailed the law
President Julius Maada Bio has signed a bill into law, making child marriage illegal in Sierra Leone. The legislation, passed by parliament last month, imposes a minimum 15-year prison sentence and a fine of over $2,000 for marrying or cohabiting with girls under 18.
The law aims to protect girls from lifelong disadvantages, including denied education and economic opportunities. According to UNICEF, in 2017, 30% of girls in Sierra Leone were married before turning 18, a decrease from 37% in the previous 25 years.
President Bio hailed the law as a “beacon of hope in Africa” and a defining achievement of his administration. He urged the nation to promote gender equality and eliminate violence and discrimination against women.
The Save the Children NGO praised the law as “historic,” noting that it will help prevent child marriages and protect girls’ rights. The law also provides compensation for those already affected by child marriage.
This significant step forward aims to secure a brighter future for Sierra Leone’s young girls and women.
