Sierra Leone has taken a major step in safeguarding the rights of young girls by enacting a law that bans child marriage. President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024 into law on Wednesday, making it illegal for girls under 18 to be married.
The new legislation imposes strict penalties on those involved in child marriages. Offenders, including those who witness such unions, face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of approximately $4,000, or both.
“This and future generations of girls must thrive in Sierra Leone in which they’re protected, equal and empowered,” President Bio announced on the social media platform X. “I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female.”
The law is seen as a critical measure to protect the estimated 800,000 child brides in the country, half of whom were previously married before the age of 15, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Passed by Parliament on June 21, the bill includes provisions to ensure access to education and support services for young girls. This is a crucial step in a country where poverty often forces many school-age girls out of the classroom.
President Bio’s administration views this legislation as a significant stride towards creating a more just and supportive environment for young girls, aiming to end the practice of child marriage and enable them to pursue their education and personal growth.
Sierra Leone, with its capital in Freetown, is a West African nation with a population of about nine million people. The enactment of this law marks a vital effort in protecting the future of its young female citizens.
