Bio Announces Three New Measures to End Child Marriage

President Julius Maada Bio has announced three further national commitments by Sierra Leone to eliminate child, early and forced marriage, including a comprehensive national action plan and stronger implementation of the country’s child marriage law.

Bio made the announcement on 23 September at a high-level event in New York held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. He also praised First Lady Fatima Bio for her advocacy and determination in the global campaign to protect girls from child marriage.

Three national commitments

Under the commitments outlined by the president, Sierra Leone will develop a National Action Plan to eliminate child, early and forced marriage. The government will also strengthen implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act through improved enforcement, birth and marriage registration, education and community engagement.

Beginning with the first International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage on 27 November 2026, Sierra Leone will report on its progress and share lessons learned with other United Nations member states.

The announcement follows the adoption by consensus on 4 September 2026 of a Sierra Leone-led resolution establishing 27 November as the international day. Sierra Leone was the main sponsor, alongside 84 co-sponsoring countries.

National measures and remaining challenges

In his remarks, Bio referred to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the Free Quality School Education programme, the Radical Inclusion Policy and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 as part of Sierra Leone’s efforts to protect girls. The Radical Inclusion Policy was described as enabling pregnant girls and young mothers to continue their education.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, signed into law in July 2024, establishes 18 as the minimum age of marriage without exception, according to the president’s account. He said the law also provides accountability for people who facilitate child marriage.

Bio said further work was needed to improve enforcement, registration, public awareness and engagement with communities. He also called on governments and development partners to provide sustained financing for girls’ education and protection, as well as for effective enforcement of national laws.

“If we are serious about achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 5.3, our resources must match our declarations,” Bio said.

Global focus on child marriage

Bio said more than 640 million girls and women alive today were married in childhood, while millions of girls continue to be married before adulthood each year. He said the figures represented girls whose education may have ended, whose health may have been put at risk and whose choices were removed before they were old enough to make them.

“A country that allows its daughters to be married too early pays the price for generations,” he said.

The president described the adoption of the international day as a historic achievement for girls worldwide and a milestone in Sierra Leone’s leadership on the issue. He said the annual date would provide a permanent global platform to maintain attention, mobilise action and assess progress towards ending child, early and forced marriage.

Bio said the initiative’s success should be judged by tangible improvements in girls’ lives rather than by ceremonies or statements. “It will be measured by the number of children protected from early marriage, kept in school and given the freedom to determine their own futures,” he said.

The event brought together representatives of governments, the United Nations system and civil society, as well as survivors and advocates. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority, First Lady Marie Khone Faye and President Hakainde Hichilema, the African Union Champion on Ending Child Marriage, were among those associated with the gathering. First Lady Fatima Bio delivered the vote of thanks at its conclusion.