MenEngage Africa welcomes the official ban on child marriages in Sierra Leone. President Julius Maada Bio signed into law the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act on Tuesday, 2 July 2024, at a signing ceremony organized by First Lady Fatima Bio in Freetown. The First Lady Bio’s “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign has been instrumental in advocating against child marriage in Sierra Leone.
Under this new law, any man who marries a girl under the age of 18 faces a penalty of at least 15 years in prison and a fine of about four thousand US dollars. The law also prohibits cohabitation with a child, and any person arranging, aiding or attending such marriage ceremonies is liable for a fine. Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of child marriages in Africa, alongside Niger and Nigeria. According to the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys, 30% of girls in Sierra Leone are married before their 18th birthday.
Child marriage is an extreme violation of children’s rights, with negative impacts for children, families, society and the economy. It is a manifestation of sexual violence against girls, and it exists within a broader universe of cultural, structural, social, political and economic violence against women and girls.
“It is within this context that Sonke and MenEngage Africa have for the past couple of years joined advocates in Africa to call for ending child marriages by working with families, communities and law makers, specifically through engagement with men and boys for gender transformation. The elimination of child, early and forced marriage is one of the main thematic campaigns implemented by MenEngage Africa in contribution to achieving Gender Equality under Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals. The campaign includes working with policy makers in our region to ensure that this and other Harmful Practice are banned across the region.” said Bafana Khumalo, Co- executive Director of Sonke Gender Justice.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act expressly protects the best interests of children, and ensures affected girls have access to counselling and safeguarding. This new Act amends existing legislation, including the Child Rights and Registration of Customary Marriage Acts and harmonises the legal framework on marriages with a view to break the cycle of early marriage and its devastating consequences on women and girls.
“As MenEngage Africa we welcome this law reform. We know that legislation on its own is not enough to eliminate this harmful practice,it must be complemented by integrating comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education within the school curriculums and community-based programmes. Adequate access to sexual and reproductive health services, investment in effective child protection systems and addressing socio-cultural drivers that perpetuate harmful practices” said MEA Chairperson Sithembile Gumede.
“The political leadership demonstrated by the President, First Lady Fatima Bio, some progressive paramount Chiefs, UNFPA, and Civil Society organisations in Sierra Leone who have championed this effort is commendable” Gumede adds.
The Act represents a significant step in the fight against gender inequality and paves the way for other African states to repeal laws that allow for child marriages and provide comprehensive child protection systems. MenEngage Africa looks forward to more countries following the good example set by Sierra Leone ensuring the safety of our children and providing them all possible opportunities for personal development.
Issued by MenEngage Africa
For media enquiries, contact
- Amukelani Chauke, Regional Communications and Social Media Coordinator, Sonke Gender Justice on amu@genderjustice.org.za
- Rumbidzai Elizabeth Chidoori, Regional Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Sonke Gender Justice rumbi@genderjustice.org.za
Note to editors
MenEngage Africa is part of a global alliance of organisations that engage men and boys to achieve gender equality, promote health, reduce violence and to question and address the structural barriers to achieving gender equality. The alliance consists of 24 country networks spread across East, West, Central and Southern Africa. MEA members work collectively toward advancing gender justice, human rights and social justice in key thematic areas including Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) & HIV prevention, Child Rights and Positive Parenting and in promoting peace on the continent.