AYV News, July 9, 2024

The Campaign, promoting the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, seeking to proscribe child marriage, provide protection for victims of child marriage and for other related matters has taken the center-stage at the ongoing Dallas Summer Picnic in Texas, United States of America.

Champion of the new Act, First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio stunned the people of Dallas, Texas, as she joyfully attended a summer picnic organised at the Breckinridge Park.

Joined by her trusted friend and sister, H.E. Monica Geingos, 3rd First Lady of Namibia, the two First Ladies’ presence at the event gracefully proved the importance of showing continued support to those you lead by breaking traditional protocol barriers, while they interacted with Sierra Leoneans based in Dallas, Texas.

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said: “Passing into law the Abolition of Child Marriage Act 2024, is an accomplishment that would define my administration. I hope it will be a seminal part of the story of how our women led the economic transformation of Sierra Leone, making our country a beacon of hope in Africa, where women have boundless opportunities to lead, determine their own future, and inspire the world”.

The Act criminalises the act of marrying or entering into a union with a child under the age of 18 years. It includes provisions for enforcing penalties on offenders, protecting victims’ rights, and ensuring access to education and support services for young girls affected by early child marriage. It further aims to fill legal loopholes by prohibiting marriage before age 18 for both boys and girls without exceptions and addresses enforcement challenges by establishing penalties for violations.