Sierra Leone Bans Child Marriage with New Legislation

In Summary

• Sierra Leone bans child marriage with new legislation.
• President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law during a ceremony in Freetown.
• Those involved in marrying a girl under 18 face at least 15 years in jail or fines of around $4,000, or both.
• Sierra Leone has high rates of child marriage, contributing to maternal deaths.
• Rights activists and international bodies welcomed the new law as a significant step forward.

FREETOWN, SIERA LEONE- Sierra Leone has introduced a new law banning child marriage, celebrated with much fanfare at a ceremony organized by First Lady Fatima Bio in the capital, Freetown. Invited guests, including first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia, watched as her husband, President Julius Maada Bio, signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law.

The new legislation stipulates that anyone involved in the marriage of a girl under the age of 18 will face a minimum of 15 years in prison or a fine of around $4,000 (£3,200), or both.

University student Khadijatu Barrie, whose sister was married off at 14, expressed her support for the ban but lamented its late arrival. "I really wish it had happened earlier. I could have at least saved my sister and my friends and other neighbours," the 26-year-old gender studies undergraduate told the BBC.

Sierra Leone is a patriarchal society where it is common for fathers to forcibly marry off their daughters. Barrie herself faced this prospect at the age of 10 but resisted and fled her family home after being disowned by her father. She found support from teachers who paid for her school fees and a sympathetic UN worker who helped with accommodation. However, Barrie highlighted the difficulty for those in rural areas to break tradition and stressed the need for widespread awareness of the new law for it to be effective.

The ministry of health estimates that one-third of girls in Sierra Leone are married off before they turn 18, contributing to the country’s high maternal death rate, one of the highest in the world. Those facing punishment under the new rules include the groom, the parents or guardians of the child bride, and even those who attend the wedding.

First Lady Fatima Bio, who has campaigned against sexual abuse since her husband became president six years ago, sought to make the signing of the bill a significant event. President Bio's eight-year-old daughter was among those who watched him sign the bill. In his speech, President Bio shared his personal motivation and commitment to empowering women and girls, rooted in his life journey of being raised by his mother and elder sister after losing his father at an early age.

President Bio acknowledged his wife's dedication to championing women's rights, stating, "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."

Rights activists hailed the law as a watershed moment. The US Bureau of African Affairs welcomed the passage of the bill on their social media, calling it a "significant milestone that not only protects girls but promotes robust human rights protections."

The new legislation marks a significant step forward for Sierra Leone, aiming to protect young girls and promote gender equality across the nation.