Sierra Leone has taken a step towards protecting its girls by unanimously passing a law prohibiting child marriage. This historic legislation, championed by First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, criminalizes marrying a girl under 18 and carries a potential jail sentence of up to 15 years for offenders.
Child marriage has been a persistent issue in Sierra Leone, with UNICEF estimating that one-third of girls are married before 18. The situation was even more dire for 400,000 girls, married off before the age of 15.
This new law marks a significant victory for the country, particularly for First Lady Bio who has been a vocal advocate against the practice. Following the parliament’s vote, she expressed her delight on social media, calling the legislation “a crucial piece of legislation” and a “significant step forward in protecting the rights of our next generation.”
Bio has long been a champion for women’s and girls’ rights. Her “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign has been instrumental in combating sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and child trafficking in Sierra Leone.
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