Sierra Leone has officially banned child marriage after President Julius Maada Bio signed a new bill into law. The bill aims to protect girls from the harmful practice, which is still widespread in the country. According to the health ministry, around a third of girls in Sierra Leone are married before they turn 18, leading to a higher maternal death rate due to the physical risks of pregnancy.
Under the new law, men who marry girls under 18 face at least 15 years in prison and a fine of around $4,000. Parents or others who attend such ceremonies could also face fines. The US Bureau of African Affairs has welcomed the passage of the bill, calling it a “significant milestone” that protects girls and promotes human rights.
The ban on child marriage is a significant step forward for Sierra Leone and sets an example for other African nations to follow. Human Rights Watch researcher Betty Kabari says the legislation should “break the cycle of early marriage and its devastating consequences.”
The move is also expected to help reduce the number of child brides in West and Central Africa, which has the highest prevalence of child marriage in the world. According to UNICEF, nearly 60 million child brides live in the region.
One former child bride, who was forced into marriage at 14, has welcomed the new law, saying it will allow her to file for an annulment. The legislation is a significant milestone in the fight against child marriage and a major step forward for girls’ rights in Sierra Leone.
