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Religious and Traditional Leaders Pledge Support for Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
Religious and traditional leaders, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, engaged communities in the Western Area on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, pledging their support to protect children across Sierra Leone. The session was held with support from Save the Children.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Ether Elliott Nyuma reaffirmed Save the Children’s long-standing role in promoting children’s rights, including education, health, and climate resilience. She highlighted ongoing partnerships with Joining Forces, the Community of Practice (COP), and other child protection networks.
Nyuma also shared outcomes from recent regional consultations with traditional and district leaders on the Act, and a three-day workshop with children, including those with disabilities, to develop a simplified, child-friendly version of e law.
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According to Save the Children, the workshop and consultations provided stakeholders with insights on the law’s provisions, the responsibilities of different actors in its enforcement, and the roadmap for implementation.
Religious and traditional leaders discussed how the law protects children and committed to raising awareness within their communities and congregations.
Chief S.O. Becki, Tribal Head of the Western Area, welcomed the Act and called for closer collaboration between traditional authorities and government to ensure effective enforcement. He urged leaders to actively support implementation and help end harmful practices.
Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah of the Inter-Religious Council praised Save the Children for championing children’s welfare and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to the Act.
“No religious leader should participate in child marriage,” he stated, pledging to promote advocacy and partnerships with UNICEF and other child protection agencies to end the practice.
This engagement follows similar initiatives in Kailahun, Pujehun, and Port Loko, as part of nationwide efforts to strengthen the protection of children in Sierra Leone.
