His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 into law at the Freetown International Conference Center in Aberdeen, Freetown. The legislation aims to prohibit child marriage and provide protection for victims.
President Bio also participated in launching the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) #WeAreEqual Campaign in Sierra Leone. This campaign addresses gender-based violence, health, education, and economic empowerment for women and girls.
Welcoming the First Ladies to Freetown, President Bio expressed his honor at being part of the campaign launch. He highlighted his government's commitment to expanding opportunities for girls, children, and women in national development.
“Gone are the days when First Ladies were mere accessories," said President Bio. "These are vestiges of the past that we are eager to discard because they signify missed opportunities to leverage such a powerful office to extend the reach of government."
He emphasized that this generation of First Ladies has set a standard by driving policy and championing vulnerable groups' causes. “I have no doubt that the campaign will further enhance the abilities of our girls and women in nation-building and global development.”
The President noted Sierra Leone's high performance in gender equality as reflected in a recent World Bank Report on Women, Business, and Law which scored Sierra Leone 92.5 out of 100.
"The Abolition of Child Marriage Act 2024...is the catalyst for the launch of the #WeAreEqual campaign in Sierra Leone,” he stated.
First Lady Monica Geingos of Namibia remarked on their campaign’s focus on equality despite differences between men and women. She called on authorities to protect women and girls by joining their campaign: “Our concern is the child. Leave children alone to grow because it is easier to raise a broken child than a broken adult.”
First Lady Debora Katisa Carvalho of Cape Verde emphasized changing societal behavior regarding child marriage in hard-to-reach communities through effective collaboration.
Minister Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye from Nigeria urged Africans, particularly Sierra Leoneans, to join efforts against violence and discrimination towards women and girls.
Sierra Leone's First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio reminded attendees about her 'Hands Off Our Girls' campaign launched in 2018 aimed at closing gender gaps across Africa.
Earlier events included receiving a report from the Cross-Party Initiative Committee on Electoral Systems Review on July 1st; bilateral meetings with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on June 25th; securing $800 million pledges from international institutions during a high-level meeting on June 24th.
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