Sierra Leone’s parliament has passed legislation prohibiting child marriage, a landmark achievement praised by activists as a significant advancement for children’s rights.
The new law makes it illegal to marry girls under 18 years old and imposes penalties of up to 15 years in prison for those convicted.
According to UNICEF, one-third of all girls in Sierra Leone are married before they turn 18. The country is home to 800,000 child brides, with 400,000 of them married before they reach the age of 15.
Poverty often compels families to marry off young girls, who may drop out of school in Sierra Leone in efforts to alleviate financial strain or settle debts.
