Sierra Leone’s parliament has passed a law banning child marriage, a development hailed by campaigners as a major victory for children’s rights.
Africa has long been plagued by child marriages which are a result of the economic hardships and gender stereotypes in the continent.
These factors often make young girls the target for this type of crime against children, which is usually impossible to prosecute.
This is because families who give their daughters up for marriage, give the approval often putting authorities in a difficult position.
CHILD PROTECTION NEEDED FROM DANGEROUS WORK
No Marriage Under 18
The new Sierra Leone law criminalizes any and all marriages of girls under the age of 18.
The law also prescribes prison sentences of up to 15 years for offenders who are caught breaking the law.
According to UNICEF, child marriage are taking place on a vast scale in West and Central Africa which disproportionately affect girls.
Girls who marry at younger ages often are forced to drop out of school or face physical risks, especially during pregnancy.
ILLEGAL CHILD LABOR INCREASES GLOBALLY
Child marriage is considered a human rights violation around the world, although many countries either turn a blind eye or fail to prosecute perpetrators.
Due to the social, health, and economic impacts of child marriage, the practice is a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Six of the world’s 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage are in located West and Central Africa.
While the average prevalence of child marriage across the region, remains exceptionally high at approximately 41 per cent of girls marry before reaching the age of 18.
Sierra leone’s Children
Sierra Leone, is home to 800,000 child brides, 400,000 of whom were married before the age of 15, according to the UN agency.
Often because of poverty, and limited access to jobs and resources, many girls in Sierra Leone do not stay in school.
Instead the girls are married off by their families to improve their financial situation by accepting payment or dowry for the girl to pay off debts.
Legislation for Protection
To protect girls, Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted landmark legislation to ban child marriage.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, makes marriage for anyone under 18 a criminal offence.
The new law seeks to protect girls from a harmful practice that has long violated their rights and hindered their development.
According to Human Right Watch the new law will prohibit all forms of child marriage and cohabitation with a child.
This includes aiding and abetting perpetrators of law in order to protect the best interests of children, and to ensures affected girls have access to counselling and protection.
The law amends existing legislation, including the Child Rights and Registration of Customary Marriage Acts.
The law harmonizes the legal framework on marriage and prevents marriage to minors which is proven to have devastating consequences.
This new law is a profound new step for the African nation, and signifies a new age of child protection law around the world.
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