Post a comment 
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has renewed its call for the public to report cases of early child marriage and child abuse through the country’s toll-free emergency line, 116, as part of ongoing efforts to protect the rights and future of girls across Sierra Leone.
In a public awareness message issued by the ministry, authorities emphasized that every child deserves a future built on education, protection, opportunity, and hope, rather than the burden of early marriage.
The ministry said the reporting line remains available 24 hours a day to provide support, protection, and response services for children facing abuse or forced marriage.
“Speak up. Protect a child. Save a future,” the ministry stated in the awareness message, urging citizens to take responsibility in safeguarding children and helping to end the practice of early child marriage.
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that girls grow up in safe, supportive, and empowering environments where they can enjoy their childhood and pursue education without fear of abuse or exploitation.
The ministry also stressed the importance of community participation in protecting vulnerable children, noting that ending child marriage requires collective national action.
According to the statement, reporting suspected cases of child abuse or early marriage can help authorities intervene quickly and provide protection for affected children.
The awareness campaign forms part of wider national efforts aimed at promoting children’s rights and strengthening protection systems for girls across the country. The ministry called on the public to make use of the 116 toll-free line whenever they witness or suspect cases involving child marriage or abuse.
“Together, we can end early child marriage and build a brighter future for our girls and our nation,” the ministry said.
