The religious fanatics are not happy in both Sierra Leone and the neighboring nations.
Sierra Leone has taken a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of young girls by enacting a new law banning child marriage. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act was signed into law with much fanfare during a ceremony in Freetown, organized by First Lady Fatima Bio. Among the invited guests were first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia, who witnessed President Julius Maada Bio sign the historic legislation.
Sierra Leone’s Parliament passed a law prohibiting child marriages. This is a cause for celebration. pic.twitter.com/jlMQvgse61
— Every4.6Hours (@rants_lizzy) June 26, 2024
The new law stipulates severe penalties for anyone involved in the marriage of a girl under 18. Offenders face a minimum of 15 years in prison, a fine of approximately $4,000, or both. This includes the groom, the parents or guardians of the child bride, and even those attending the wedding.
University student Khadijatu Barrie, whose sister was married off at 14, expressed relief and frustration over the timing of the ban. Barrie, a 26-year-old gender studies undergraduate, narrowly escaped a forced marriage herself at age 10 by fleeing her home. She credits her survival to supportive teachers and a UN children’s agency worker who helped her with school fees and accommodation. Barrie emphasized the need for widespread awareness of the new law, particularly in rural areas where traditional practices are deeply entrenched.
Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally, with the health ministry estimating that a third of girls are married before they turn 18. This contributes to the country’s high maternal mortality rate, as many teenage girls’ bodies are not ready for childbirth.
Sierra Leonean Girls WON!
Today the Prohibition of the Child Marriage Bill 2024 was signed by H.E the president of the Republic of Sierra Leone @PresidentBio at the We Are Equal Campaign Launch in Sierra Leone. So it is now an ACT!#NoToChildMarriage pic.twitter.com/xiHMYwGbl6
— Ms Finda⚡️🇸🇱 (@FindaBorway) July 2, 2024
First Lady Fatima Bio, who has been a vocal advocate against sexual abuse since her husband took office six years ago, has personal reasons for championing this cause. She revealed that she was almost a victim of child marriage herself, an experience that has profoundly impacted her. Mrs. Bio described child marriage as destroying a child’s dreams and potential before they even understand their identity.
The new law has not received much local media attention since its passage a few weeks ago. However, during the signing ceremony, President Bio highlighted his personal commitment to empowering women and girls, a commitment rooted in his upbringing by his mother and elder sister after losing his father at an early age. He emphasized that his motivation comes from a deeply personal place and underscored his belief that the future of Sierra Leone is female.
First Lady Bio hopes this law will break the cycle of uneducated and disempowered children who cannot contribute to nation-building. She dismissed any excuses from religious or traditional leaders who claim ignorance of the law, citing her extensive campaign efforts across Sierra Leone over the past six years.
The passage of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act has been positively received by rights activists, who consider it a watershed moment for the country. The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs also lauded the new law on their social media page, calling it a significant milestone that protects girls and promotes robust human rights protections.
98 lawyers are vying for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria; meanwhile, the Federal High Court has sentenced Freeman Ogbonna for cocaine trafficking and beyond our borders, Sierra Leone has banned child marriage.
Here’s the News You Can Use with @mazinoappeal pic.twitter.com/cCbkoeEeym
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) July 3, 2024
With this new legislation, Sierra Leone aims to create an empowered society where women and girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development. Or so we all think. A nation like Sierra Leone can change on a dime, as they say.
Major Points:
- Sierra Leone has enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, banning child marriage and imposing severe penalties, including a minimum of 15 years in prison or a fine of about $4,000 for offenders.
- The law was signed by President Julius Maada Bio at a ceremony organized by First Lady Fatima Bio, with notable guests including first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia.
- The legislation aims to address the high rates of child marriage in Sierra Leone, where a third of girls are married before 18, contributing to one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally.
- First Lady Fatima Bio, who has a personal history of almost being a child marriage victim, has been a strong advocate for this law, emphasizing its importance for the future of young girls in the country.
- Rights activists have welcomed the law as a significant milestone for human rights in Sierra Leone, with international praise highlighting its potential to protect girls and promote their empowerment.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
