Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, hailed a “historic moment” after two female Members of Parliament, one from the ruling SLPP and the other from the opposition APC, collaborated to pass groundbreaking legislation.

Hon. Mariama Konneh Zombo and Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally, along with First Lady Fatima Bio, championed the drafting and passage of a law banning all forms of child marriage and child cohabitation. The legislation also prescribes penalties for those involved in planning, conspiring with, attending, or supporting child marriage.

Minister Bah praised the bipartisan effort, calling it “the story of a Sierra Leone that everyone can be proud of and continue to aspire to create.”

The news was met with further applause from feminist activist Josephine Kamara of Purposeful. She urged “aunties and mothers” to continue fighting all forms of child abuse and protect girls from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).

Minister Bah emphasized the inclusive nature of the discussions surrounding the legislation. He noted that the dialogue used language accessible to at least 90% of the population and welcomed questions from journalists and citizens across the country.

The Minister concluded by calling this a “clarion call” for all Sierra Leoneans to work together in protecting development and promoting positive practices across all sectors.