Sierra Leone has officially banned child marriage, with President Julius Maada Bio signing a bill into law to end the widespread practice. The new legislation includes provisions for penalizing offenders, protecting the rights of victims, and ensuring access to education and support services for young girls affected by child marriage.
The new legislation includes provisions for penalizing offenders, protecting the rights of victims, and ensuring access to education and support services for young girls affected by child marriage. Under the, any man who marries a girl under the age of 18 could face a minimum of 15 years in prison and a fine exceeding $4,000. In addition, those married as children can seek financial compensation and have the option to petition for an annulment.
Sierra Leone's lawmakers have adopted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024 to ban child marriage in the country. Hundreds of thousands of children, the vast majority of whom… Namibian first lady Sustjie Mbumba was among the invited guests that witnessed Siera Leone president Julius Maada Bio sign the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law this week.
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