AYV News, April 22, 2026
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), working alongside Save the Children and other child protection partners, has officially introduced a simplified, child-friendly version of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act during a ceremony held at Brookfields Hotel in New England Ville, Freetown.
The high-level event attracted key stakeholders, including international development partners such as Save the Children, Plan International, World Vision, and UNICEF, as well as paramount chiefs and representatives from child protection institutions. The gathering reflected a shared national determination to eradicate child marriage in Sierra Leone.
Presiding over the ceremony, Mrs. Boi Jenneh Jalloh, Chairperson of the Child Rights Coalition, welcomed participants and described the initiative as a major milestone in empowering children with knowledge of their rights while strengthening protection systems across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Chief Director Mr. Charles Vandi explained that the Act has been simplified into an accessible format suitable for children from primary school level through to adolescence. He noted that the initiative aims to increase awareness, strengthen safeguarding, and ensure a clear understanding of the legal consequences of child marriage.
Representing the Human Rights Commission, Ms. Sawaneh highlighted the wider social impacts of early marriage, linking it to vulnerability, insecurity, and harmful traditional practices. She called for stronger parental responsibility, continuous community engagement, and closer collaboration with traditional authorities.
Delivering remarks for Save the Children, Mrs. Esther Elliott Nyuma, Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting children’s rights. She emphasized that the simplified Act will help children better understand their rights and encourage them to seek help and speak out when necessary.
A particularly emotional moment came with a testimony from Kadijatu Lamarana Shunem Barrie, a Gender Studies graduate of Fourah Bay College, who shared her personal experience of resisting early marriage at age 14 in Kambia District. Her story underscored the power of education, resilience, and determination in overcoming harmful practices.
Further contributions were made by Family Support Unit (FSU) representative Mrs. Betty Johnson, who spoke on the health, educational, and social consequences of child marriage. She urged stronger enforcement of laws and intensified awareness campaigns, especially in affected communities.
The technical details of the Act were presented by Deputy Director Aminata Kargbo and Victoria Squire, who explained its key provisions and simplified structure before the document was officially presented for launch.
In his keynote address, Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Buakai Hindowa Bindi praised development partners for their continued support and commended the government’s commitment under President Julius Maada Bio to advancing child protection and gender equality.
He reaffirmed government’s determination to protect children’s rights and ensure girls are given the opportunity to grow, learn, and achieve their full potential, stressing: “Girls should be girls, not mothers.”
The Deputy Minister also assured stakeholders that the Ministry will work closely with partners to ensure widespread distribution and understanding of the child-friendly Act across communities nationwide.
The event ended with a unified call for continued action against child marriage, marking the launch as a major step forward in awareness creation, child protection, and empowerment across Sierra Leone.
