Post a comment 
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs held a Coordination and Technical Working Group (TWG) session at its headquarters, aimed at discussing the progress of regulations and the nationwide implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The meeting, which was held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, brought together key stakeholders, including development partners and child protection agencies.
Notable institutions in attendance included the Child Rights Coalition, Save the Children, UNICEF, the National Commission for Children (NCC), and YACAN.
Senior officials from the Ministry, including Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandi, Director of Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Joyce B. Kamara, Deputy Director, Daniel Albert Gbow, and Assistant Directors, Laura Kororma and Bashiru Thullah, contributed to the discussions.
Vandi, who chaired the meeting, opened with a recap of the previous session and urged all partners to review a shared document thoroughly.
He emphasized the importance of collective ownership of the document, stating, “The collective document should reflect the shared vision of all stakeholders, and not be owned by a single institution.”
He also asserted the necessity of drafting a Cabinet Paper for submission to the Minister, advocating for inclusive consultation to foster gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Deputy Director, Daniel Albert Gbow, reviewed action points from the last meeting, noting the significant role of child protection organizations in crafting messages for radio and media to raise awareness about child marriage. He reported progress on the concept note and budget, which have been disseminated to partners.
Gbow commended Save the Children for leading the creation of a simplified version of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act for broader distribution.
He stressed the importance of involving the Child Friendly Network (CFN) and the Office of the First Lady in future discussions.
Boi Jeneh Jalloh, Chairperson of the Child Rights Coalition, expressed her concerns regarding the severe implications of child marriage on teenage girls. She stated, “Marriage should only occur with the consent of both parties to prevent violations and associated challenges.”
Ether Elliott Nyuma from Save the Children, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the initiative, noting their development and sharing of radio and media awareness messages as part of the consultation process.
A representative from Plan International raised pertinent questions regarding specific provisions in the Act, particularly those authorized to officiate marriages, such as religious leaders, and the implications of parental disagreement on consent. He called for clearer guidance on these issues.
The meeting concluded with a A and B (Any other Business) session, where partners engaged in discussions about the African Union Mission on Child Protection and Harmful Practices. There was a commitment to share relevant documents with partners who had not yet received them.
