The president of Sierra Leone signed a groundbreaking law on Tuesday, prohibiting marriage for individuals aged 18 and younger. The legislation also includes hefty fines for adult spouses, marking a significant victory for activists striving to end this prevalent practice.
The new law in Sierra Leone stands out from similar laws in Africa by not only penalizing adult spouses but also holding accountable individuals who facilitate the marriage, such as parents, officiants, and wedding guests.
According to UNICEF, around 800,000 girls under 18 were married in Sierra Leone, constituting about a third of all girls in the country. Shockingly, half of these girls were married before the age of 15. Additionally, Human Rights Watch reported that approximately 4% of boys in Sierra Leone are wed by the age of 18.
Under this progressive law, individuals who were married as children are entitled to seek financial compensation and can also petition for an annulment to get out of their marriages.
Human Rights Watch researcher Betty Kabari commended the law for its approach in penalizing those who aid child marriages, emphasizing that a child does not enter into marriage in isolation.
Global Impact of Child Marriage
Every year, at least 12 million girls under 18 are forced into marriage worldwide, as reported by the United Nations. Shockingly, over 650 million girls and women have been married as children, highlighting the urgent need for more countries to follow Sierra Leone’s lead in combating this harmful practice.
