Sierra Leone Gathers Stakeholders to Discuss Next Steps for Prohibition of Child Marriage Act

_{Stakeholders and children pose for a photo after the deliberations. Photo Credit; Abdul Sillah/Save the Child}

Freetown, Sierra Leone – A group of stakeholders, including children, parliamentarians, paramount chiefs, and civil society leaders, gathered today at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel to chart the way forward for the newly passed Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024. The law aims to protect children across the country from the harmful practice of early marriage.

In his keynote address, Honourable Buakai Bindi Hindowa, Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, reassured attendees of the government's commitment to drafting the regulations necessary to enforce the Act. "We are taking note of all concerns raised today and will ensure they are reflected in the regulations when we meet with Parliament. Our goal is to ensure the law reaches every corner of Sierra Leone and protects every child from child marriage," he said.

Francis Oppong, Save the Children’s Acting Country Director, hailed the passing of the law but cautioned against complacency. Highlighting alarming child marriage statistics in Sierra Leone—where nearly 30% of girls are married before the age of 18—he urged all stakeholders to play their part in raising awareness and ensuring children receive the protection they deserve.

Philipa Cride-Dole, President of the Children’s Forum Network, echoed these sentiments, calling for a nationwide commitment to enforcing the law. "Every part of the country needs to be aware of this Act, and we need to ensure it is fully implemented so that no Sierra Leonean child is subjected to this harmful practice," she said.

Paramount Chief Bai Kurr Kanagbaro III also called for a holistic approach, suggesting that the regulations should promote abstinence and not focus solely on punishing offenders. He further recommended that every child in the country be provided with a national identity card to help differentiate between minors and adults during marriage ceremonies.

Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh acknowledged that while the law may not be perfect, it is a significant step forward. "This is the best law we have passed in recent history. We will improve it along the way with the support of organisations like Save the Children and the collective effort of every citizen," he remarked.

Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo, the MP who tabled the bill, shared her personal experience with early marriage, which nearly derailed her education. "This law is deeply personal for me, and I am committed to ensuring no girl in Sierra Leone suffers the same fate," she said.

Representing the Child Rights Coalition, Abdulai Manaf Kemokai called on both local and international organisations to incorporate the law into their programmes. He encouraged local NGOs to begin implementing the provisions of the Act immediately, even before receiving external funding.

Stakeholders agreed that while passing the law is a significant achievement, the real challenge lies in raising awareness and ensuring its full implementation across the country.