Last week, Sierra Leone’s parliament passed a significant law to prohibit child marriage. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024 criminalizes marriage for individuals under 18, aiming to safeguard girls from a harmful tradition that has infringed on their rights and impeded their growth.
Child marriage is a prevalent issue in Sierra Leone, with 30 percent of girls and 4 percent of boys getting married before reaching 18 years old, especially in rural regions. Approximately 800,000 girls in Sierra Leone are already married, half of them before they turn 15.
Child marriages contribute to the high rate of adolescent pregnancies in Sierra Leone, where pregnancy complications are the primary cause of death for girls aged 15-19.
The new law prohibits all forms of child marriage and cohabitation with a child, including facilitating or supporting such actions. It prioritizes the wellbeing of children and guarantees that affected girls have access to counseling and protection. The legislation amends existing laws, such as the Child Rights and Registration of Customary Marriage Acts, to streamline the legal framework concerning marriage and break the cycle of early marriages and its negative impacts.
This law also complements Sierra Leone’s efforts to safeguard young girls from marriage and address obstacles to girls’ education. A new education law, passed in 2023, ensures that children receive 13 years of free education, including preprimary and secondary schooling.
The “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign spearheaded by the First Lady has played a crucial role in advocating against child marriage.
This legislation marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s quest for gender equality and child protection. It also serves as a model for other African countries like Tanzania and Zambia to repeal laws allowing child marriage and ensure that girls have the opportunity to complete their primary and secondary education.
Sierra Leone’s government should now focus on raising awareness, especially in rural areas, about the new law and the detrimental effects of child marriage. It should also address other harmful practices associated with child marriage, such as female genital mutilation. Collaborating with local communities, NGOs, and international organizations to promote awareness about the harms of child marriage and provide support services for married children and those at risk of being married off is crucial.
The government must also continue efforts to keep girls in school while developing sustainable economic opportunities and social programs that empower girls and their families.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).