Key facts
- Four men are facing charges in Sierra Leone for offenses related to child marriage.
- This is the first court case brought under the country's 2024 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Four men, including the father and husband of a 17-year-old girl, are set to appear in court in Sierra Leone for alleged child marriage offenses. This marks the first prosecution under the country's 2024 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
This case represents a significant milestone in Sierra Leone's efforts to combat child marriage and enforce legal protections for minors, signaling a shift away from traditional practices towards upholding international human rights standards.
Four men are set to appear in court in Sierra Leone for alleged child marriage offenses, marking the first prosecution under the country's 2024 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. The accused, including the 17-year-old bride's father and husband, face charges related to contracting, consenting to, or facilitating the marriage of a minor.
Under the new law, the minimum age to marry is 18, and convictions carry a penalty of at least 15 years in jail or a fine of around $4,000. Previously, customary law allowed parents to consent to marriages for underage brides, but this was struck out two years ago, establishing a new legal regime.
Gender activists have expressed happiness and relief that the legal reforms they advocated for are finally being enforced. Reports indicate that up to 30% of girls in Sierra Leone are married before the age of 18, with some cases involving brides as young as 14, particularly in rural areas. This landmark case is seen as a crucial step in protecting the rights of vulnerable women and girls in the country.