Eradicating child marriage in Sierra Leone: a crucial step towards equality and respect for fundamental rights
Parliament in Freetown took a historic step on Saturday June 22 by passing a bill to ban child marriage in the country. This decision marks a major turning point in the fight against a harmful and widespread practice that deprives hundreds of thousands of children, mainly young girls, of their childhood and their rights.
In Sierra Leone, a country of 9 million inhabitants, nearly 800,000 girls were already married before the age of 18 in 2017, half of them before the age of 15, according to Unicef data . This phenomenon, which has become a harmful social norm, condemns these children to a premature adult life, depriving them of schooling, their physical and mental health, and exposing them to early pregnancies with often disastrous consequences.
The devastating effects of these early marriages are multiple. In addition to hindering the personal and professional development of young girls, these unions compromise their access to education, employment opportunities and an independent life. Furthermore, these marriages reinforce a vicious circle of poverty and dependence that is transmitted from generation to generation, creating insurmountable obstacles to the progress and sustainable development of society.
The law passed in Sierra Leone represents a crucial step forward in protecting the rights of children and promoting gender equality. By criminalizing child marriages, this legislation sends a strong message of zero tolerance towards a harmful and unacceptable practice. The severe penalties provided for offenders, with prison sentences of at least 15 years and substantial fines, aim to deter any attempt at child marriage and to ensure rigorous application of the law.
The organization Save the Children, committed to defending children’s rights, welcomes this legislative progress in Sierra Leone. This measure will put an end to an alarming reality and protect thousands of vulnerable children from abuse and injustice. By breaking the cycle of poverty and discrimination, this law opens the way to a more just, equitable future that respects the rights of the child.
In conclusion, the ban on child marriage in Sierra Leone represents a decisive step towards building a more inclusive, egalitarian society that respects the fundamental rights of each individual. This measure underlines the importance of guaranteeing the protection and well-being of children, by putting an end to an age-old practice that hinders their development and compromises their future. Let us hope that other countries will follow Sierra Leone’s example to end the scourge of child marriage, and to promote a culture of respect, equality and dignity for all.