https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240703/sierra-leone-enacts-bill-to-outlaw-child-marriage-1067344814.html
Sierra Leone Enacts Bill to Outlaw Child Marriage
Sierra Leone Enacts Bill to Outlaw Child Marriage
Sputnik Africa
At the historic ceremony, Sierra Leone's President Bio, with his eight-year-old daughter in the audience, declared that his "motivation and commitment to... 03.07.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-07-03T13:42+0200
2024-07-03T13:42+0200
2024-07-03T17:42+0200
sierra leone
sub-saharan africa
julius maada bio
central africa
west africa
united nations children's fund (unicef)
law
children
family
culture
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President Julius Maada Bio signed a measure banning child marriage in Sierra Leone, where one-third of girls are married before the age of 18. The health ministry says early marriage increases maternal mortality due to the physical dangers of childbearing at such a young age.Under the new rule, a man who marries a minor could be imprisoned for 15 years and fined $4,000. Parents and guests at such weddings can also be fined. UNICEF reports approximately 60 million child brides in West and Central Africa, the highest rate in the world.A 21-year-old Sierra Leonean former child bride told Western media that she was forced into marriage at 14 and is considering going to court to seek an annulment under the new rule.Human Rights Watch researcher Betty Kabari said the law "should break the cycle of early marriage and its devastating consequences." It opens the door for Tanzania and Zambia to ban child marriage, she added.
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sierra leone, julius maada bio, central africa, west africa, united nations children's fund (unicef), law, children, family, culture
sierra leone, julius maada bio, central africa, west africa, united nations children's fund (unicef), law, children, family, culture
Sierra Leone Enacts Bill to Outlaw Child Marriage
13:42 03.07.2024 (Updated: 17:42 03.07.2024) At the historic ceremony, Sierra Leone's President Bio, with his eight-year-old daughter in the audience, declared that his "motivation and commitment to empowering women and girls are firmly rooted in his personal life journey."
President Julius Maada Bio
signed a measure banning child marriage in Sierra Leone, where one-third of girls are married before the age of 18. The health ministry says early marriage increases maternal mortality due to the physical dangers of childbearing at such a young age.
“Together, we want to build an empowered Sierra Leone where women are given an even platform to reach their full potential. I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female,” the president emphasized.
Under the new rule, a man who marries a minor could be imprisoned for 15 years and fined $4,000. Parents and guests at such weddings can also be fined.
UNICEF reports approximately 60 million child brides in West and Central Africa, the highest rate in the world.
A 21-year-old Sierra Leonean former child bride told Western media that she was forced into marriage at 14 and is considering going to court to seek an annulment under the new rule.
Human Rights Watch researcher Betty Kabari said the law "should break the cycle of early marriage and its devastating consequences." It opens the door for Tanzania and Zambia to ban child marriage, she added.
