Sierra Leone Passes Bill Banning Early Marriage, Criminalises Offenders

Sierra Leone has passed a bill banning child marriage for girls across the country and criminalises offenders. 

The bill came after years of campaigning from girls’ rights activists in the country, where about 30 per cent of girls are married before their 18th birthday.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024 criminalises the act of marrying or entering into a union with a child under the age of 18. It includes provisions for enforcing penalties on offenders, protecting victims’ rights, and ensuring access to education and support services for young girls affected by early child marriage. 

According to reports, Sierra Leone has one of the highest child marriage, early pregnancy and maternal mortality rates in the world, with about one-third of girls married before the age of 18 and another third giving birth before the age of 19. 

Following the bill’s passage, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, expressed delight and appreciated the parliament and civil society organisations for their dedication to the bill’s passage. 

“Sierra Leone’s Parliament unanimously passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, a crucial piece of legislation that I championed. This private member’s bill outlaws child marriage, a harmful practice that has long plagued the nation.

“The bill seeks to criminalise the act of marrying or entering into a union with a child under the age of 18 years. It includes provisions for enforcing penalties on offenders, protecting victims’ rights, and ensuring access to education and support services for young children affected by early child marriage,” she said in an X post.

She said the bill represents a significant step forward in protecting the rights of the next generation and a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose.

“This bill aims to fill legal loopholes by prohibiting marriage before the age of 18 for both boys and girls without exceptions. It addresses enforcement challenges by establishing penalties for violations and calling upon community leaders to support its implementation actively. By strengthening existing laws and enhancing their enforcement, the bill seeks to create a more protective environment for all children in Sierra Leone.” 

She called on all parliamentarians to work together to ensure the effective implementation of the law and to educate their constituents about its provisions.  

The Country Director for Save the Children Sierra Leone, Patrick Analo, said the bill’s passage was historic and an extraordinary achievement for children across Sierra Leone who have campaigned for their rights.

“Girls who are married young are not only robbed of their childhoods – they are robbed of their futures. They experience lifelong harm to their physical and mental health, are barred from opportunities to learn, grow, play and develop, and are shut out from future educational and economic opportunities that also impact their families and communities.  

“Children have now stood up and said: “Give us our futures back.” And thanks to them, this will be a new reality for nearly four million children across Sierra Leone.” 

When implemented, more children, especially girls in Sierra Leone, will have more chances of obtaining an education and leading good lives.

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