29
Jun
Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted landmark legislation to ban child marriage last week, marking a significant step in the nation's efforts to protect young girls and promote gender equality. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2024, which criminalizes marriage for anyone under the age of 18, aims to shield girls from a practice that has long violated their rights and hindered their development. Child marriage is a pervasive issue in Sierra Leone, where 30 percent of girls and 4 percent of boys are married before turning 18. In rural areas, the rates are even higher, and approximately 800,000 girls are currently…