The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 23/02/2023 extensively debated the ‘Child Rights Act,2022’ Bill and committed it to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.

The Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Child Rights Act, 2007 (Act No.7 of 2007 ) and the Children and Young Persons Act, ( Cap 44), to provide for the promotion of the rights of the child in compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to provide for other related matters.

Presenting the Bill to the House, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Manty Tarawallie, said that the objective of the Bill is to repeal and replace “The Child Rights Act of 2007” and has been divided into thirteen parts to accentuate the importance of the Bill towards the development and protection of the child.

Members of the Parliament responding to the Bill commended the Minister and her officials for bringing the Bill before the House for enactment, and proffered that issues like corporal punishment and child labour must be addressed.

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Other important discussions in the bill include female genital mutilation(FGM), the cultural dimension of Africa and underscored the need for proper education and research amongst others

In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie recounted on the consultative meeting that was held on the bill with MPs and stockholders and underscored what was highlighted in the deliberation. He reminded the House that Sierra Leone is part of many international treaties that bind States together and those laws have to be domesticated.

He called on MPs to be part of the deliberations when the Bill is submitted to the Legislative Committee for further discussion.

Credit: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone