Sierra Leone’s parliament has enacted a law banning child marriage, marking a historic milestone in the fight against this practice. The new legislation criminalizes the marriage of girls under 18 and imposes severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison for offenders.
This is a significant stride in addressing the rampant issue of child marriage in the country, where one-third of girls marry before turning 18. According to UNICEF, Sierra Leone is home to 800,000 child brides, 400,000 of whom were married before the age of 15. The practice, driven largely by poverty, often leads families to marry off their daughters in an attempt to improve their financial situations or settle debts.
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This law aims to protect young girls by ensuring they can remain in school and avoid the lifelong consequences of early marriage, which frequently results in compromised educational and economic opportunities, and increased health risks. The legislation is expected to serve as a foundation for broader efforts to improve the rights and futures of girls in Sierra Leone, emphasizing education and economic support as alternatives to early marriage.
Activists have lauded the law as a critical step towards eradicating a practice that undermines the potential of young girls and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. The government’s commitment to enforcing this law will be crucial in its efforts to change societal norms and protect children’s rights in Sierra Leone.
