The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio on Wednesday officially signed the bill banning child marriage into law.
The bill makes it illegal for anyone to marry someone under the age of 18, with stringent penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and a fine of approximately $4,000 for offenders.
Signing the bill, Bio said, “Freedom has come for our women. This is an accomplishment that will define my administration.
“It is a beacon of hope in Africa where women have boundless opportunities to be and determine their own future and inspire the world.”
Additionally, parents or individuals who attend or facilitate such ceremonies will also face fines.
The move has been widely praised, with the US Bureau of African Affairs welcoming the passage of the bill.
Sierra Leone’s action is significant, as West and Central Africa have the highest rates of child marriage globally, with over 800,000 child brides in Sierra Leone alone, half of whom were married before the age of 15.
Advocates believe this landmark legislation would mark a crucial step towards protecting Sierra Leone’s children and ensuring their rights and well-being are prioritized.
“The legislation should break the cycle of early marriage and its devastating consequences. It also sets a pathway forward for other African nations, such as Tanzania and Zambia, to revoke laws that permit child marriage,” said Human Rights Watch researcher Betty Kabari.