In a historic move for children’s rights, Sierra Leone’s parliament has passed a landmark law banning child marriage, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to protect young girls from harmful practices.

This new legislation, hailed by child protection campaigners and human rights organizations, makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to marry in Sierra Leone, ensuring that girls are no longer subjected to early and often harmful marriages that curtail their childhood, education, and future prospects.

The law’s passage is a monumental victory for the rights of children, and it sets a crucial precedent for other nations in Africa and around the world to take similar legal actions aimed at ending child marriage, a practice that disproportionately affects young girls in various parts of the globe. While Sierra Leone has become a leader in the fight against child marriage, this article explores the legal and societal implications of the new law and outlines steps other nations can take to protect girls from this harmful practice.

1. Sierra Leone’s Landmark Law: A Victory for Children’s Rights

On March 22, 2023, the Sierra Leone Parliament passed the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill, formally making child marriage illegal in the country. The bill stipulates that the legal age for marriage in Sierra Leone is now set at 18, aligning with international standards and global human rights conventions. This legislation is a direct response to the country’s ongoing challenge with early marriage, which has long been a significant issue, particularly in rural areas.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), approximately one in three girls in Sierra Leone were married before the age of 18, often resulting in negative health, educational, and economic consequences. Early marriages increase the likelihood of early pregnancies, gender-based violence, and social exclusion, limiting the potential of young girls and perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

The passage of this bill is viewed as a significant step toward gender equality and the empowerment of women. It also signals Sierra Leone’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

2. The Broader Impact of Child Marriage

Child marriage is a violation of basic human rights, particularly the rights of girls to education, health, and freedom from violence. The practice has wide-ranging consequences for the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of young girls. Key issues arising from child marriage include:

• Health Risks: Early marriages often lead to early pregnancies, which significantly increase the risk of maternal mortality, obstetric complications, and other health issues for girls who are not physically or emotionally prepared for childbirth.
• Educational Barriers: Girls who are married early are less likely to stay in school, which perpetuates cycles of poverty and gender inequality. Education is a powerful tool that can help lift girls out of poverty and provide them with the skills needed for economic independence.
• Economic Consequences: Child marriage often traps girls in poverty by limiting their opportunities for formal education and employment, while also exposing them to the economic dependence on their spouses.
• Gender-Based Violence: Young brides are more vulnerable to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Their young age and often submissive social roles make it difficult for them to leave abusive situations.

By passing the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill, Sierra Leone is taking a stand against these detrimental consequences, ensuring that girls are given the opportunity to live a full and healthy life, free from the restraints of early marriage.

3. The Legal Frameworks Needed to End Child Marriage in Africa and Beyond

While Sierra Leone has made great strides, child marriage remains a widespread issue in many countries, particularly in Africa and South Asia. According to UNICEF, over 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year, with the highest rates of child marriage found in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. To end this practice, countries must take strong legal and policy actions. Here are some legal frameworks and regulatory measures that nations can adopt to prevent child marriage:

A. Raise the Legal Age of Marriage

The most effective and immediate way to prevent child marriage is by legally prohibiting marriages for individuals under the age of 18. Like Sierra Leone, other countries should adopt legislation that explicitly sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage. Legal reform should include strict penalties for those who facilitate or engage in child marriages, including religious and customary leaders who may bypass the law.

B. Enforcement of Existing Laws

Many countries already have laws prohibiting child marriage, but these laws are often poorly enforced. Robust enforcement mechanisms are necessary to ensure that existing laws are upheld. Governments must work to ensure that law enforcement and judicial authorities are trained to handle cases of child marriage and are able to effectively prosecute those involved.

C. Strengthening Birth Registration Systems

A critical element in preventing child marriage is ensuring that all children are registered at birth and have verified identities. This is important because many child marriages are facilitated through fraudulent documents or inaccurate birth records. Strengthening national birth registration systems can provide evidence of a child’s age and help law enforcement authorities prevent underage marriages.

D. Comprehensive Education Programs

Education is a key deterrent to child marriage. Countries can mandate free, accessible education for all children, particularly girls, and incentivize parents to keep their daughters in school longer. Countries should also implement awareness campaigns that inform communities about the dangers and consequences of child marriage, challenging traditional beliefs and cultural practices that normalize early marriage.

E. Strengthening International Collaboration

Given that child marriage is a global issue, international cooperation is essential to combat this harmful practice. Countries must work together to share data, best practices, and provide technical assistance in reforming their legal frameworks. International human rights organizations such as UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank play an important role in supporting countries through advocacy, funding, and technical expertise.

F. Gender-Sensitive Legal Aid and Support for Victims

For countries that already face the challenge of child marriage, it is equally important to ensure that girls who have been married as children are provided with legal aid, safe spaces, and psychosocial support. These services can help them escape abusive marriages, return to school, and reintegrate into society.

4. Global Action: The Role of Governments and International Bodies

The fight to end child marriage is not only a legal challenge but also a societal one. Governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies must collaborate to create a multi-faceted response to child marriage. Sierra Leone’s new law sets a powerful example for other nations to follow, showing that political will and international cooperation can lead to meaningful change.

5. Conclusion: A Global Responsibility to Protect Girls

Sierra Leone’s decision to pass a law banning child marriage is an important step in the global effort to end this harmful practice. By raising the legal age of marriage, strengthening enforcement, and providing educational and legal support, other nations in Africa and around the world can take significant strides toward protecting girls and securing their futures.

The rights of girls must be protected through strong laws, better enforcement, and global cooperation. It is time for countries to follow Sierra Leone’s example and prioritize the health, well-being, and freedom of young girls by ensuring they have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a world where child marriage is no longer a reality.

• Legal Challenges in Managing Healthcare Compliance
• The Lawmakers of Europe: How the EU Drafts and Adopts Legislation
• Colorado Nightclub Raid Exposes America’s Growing Human Trafficking and Immigration Crisis
• OpenAI’s For-Profit Shift: What It Means for the Future of AI, Technology, and Global Power
• Trump’s Crimea Proposal: A Flashpoint for International Law, Global Order, and Geopolitics