First Lady Champions Bill Against Early Child Marriage

In a landmark gathering held at the Radisson Blu conference center, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, spearheaded a high-level consultative meeting aimed at addressing the pressing issue of early child marriage in the country. The event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from civil society organizations, and members of the United Nations, all united in their commitment to combat this deeply entrenched practice.

Early child marriage remains a significant challenge in Sierra Leone, rooted in tradition, poverty, and lack of education. According to UN statistics, one in every five girls in the country is forced into early marriage, perpetuating high rates of population growth and hindering girls’ access to education. The negative impact of early child marriage is far-reaching, depriving young girls of their childhood, education, and future opportunities.

The meeting opened with Sheik Salim Feika, Chief of Staff, underlining the gravity of the issue, emphasizing that early child marriage is not only a violation of human rights, but also a hindrance to the development and well-being of girls.

“We are here to discuss something very sensitive: early child marriage,” he stated. “It is a taboo and a crime against humanity, depriving children of their right to a childhood and education.”

Representatives from various organizations, including the Child Rights Coalition and Save the Children, expressed their unwavering support for the proposed Prohibition of Early Child Marriage Bill.

“The Child Rights Coalition Sierra Leone is honored to make a statement on the proposed child marriage bill,” said Hassan Fuad Kanu. “We are delighted to celebrate and deliberate on the proposed bill and will monitor its progress to ensure it passes.”

Francis, the Country Director of Save the Children, reiterated their commitment to fighting against early child marriage through tireless efforts and advocacy.

“We are pleased to be part of the proposed bill to end early child marriage, which affects our society,” he affirmed. “Save the Children will support every child to be free from forced or early marriage.”

UN Resident Coordinator, Her Excellency Ms. Seraphine Wakana, commended the First Lady’s dedication to the cause, acknowledging the significant strides made in raising awareness and implementing initiatives to combat early child marriage.

“As Sierra Leone faces a high level of early child marriage, it is critical that we address this issue comprehensively,” she emphasized. “The UN is committed to supporting Sierra Leone and the First Lady in their efforts to protect the rights of girls.”

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Gender Committee, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie, assured the First Lady of their support in passing the bill without political influence.

“As a mother of three girls, I am committed to working with the government and the First Lady to fight against early child marriage,” she declared. “Parliament will pass the bill accordingly, and we will all support it as a country.”

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Legislative Committee, Hon. Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, emphasized the non-political nature of the issue and pledged the Parliament’s full support for the bill.

“This is not a political issue; it is a country issue,” he asserted. “The Sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone will work through the laws to end early child marriage.”

Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, highlighted the pressing concern of early child marriage and its impact on population growth and girls’ education.

“Early child marriage perpetuates high rates of population growth and deprives girls of education and opportunities,” she stated. “Implementing the bill can prevent the exploitation and abuse of young girls forced into marriage.”

Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Isata Mahoi, expressed her commitment to ending early child marriage and praised the collaborative efforts to address the issue.

“We are all here to support the bill and work together to achieve our goal of protecting young children from early marriage,” she affirmed.

However, it was the impassioned address by the First Lady that resonated deeply with the audience. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio shared her personal journey as a survivor of early child marriage, highlighting the devastating impact it had on her life. She spoke of the urgent need for legislative reform, drawing from her own experiences to advocate for the rights of girls across the country.

“For me, child marriage is not a political issue; it is a matter of human rights,” she declared. “No child should be robbed of their childhood and forced into marriage before they are ready. As a survivor myself, I am committed to fighting for the rights of every girl in Sierra Leone.”

The First Lady called upon Parliament to heed the voices of the vulnerable and enact the Prohibition of Early Child Marriage Bill without delay. She urged all stakeholders to join hands in this noble endeavor, emphasizing that the future of the nation depends on empowering its girls through education and protection from early marriage.

As the meeting concluded, there was a renewed sense of determination among attendees to work together towards a future where every child in Sierra Leone is free from the shackles of early marriage. With the unwavering leadership of the First Lady and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, the journey towards ending early child marriage had taken a significant step forward.