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Save the Children Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Child Justice Steering Committee, has conducted a training session for police officers, investigators, and state prosecutors aimed at strengthening the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024.
The engagement, held in Freetown, brought together key law enforcement and justice sector actors to enhance their understanding of the legislation and improve efforts to protect children from child marriage.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Supreme Court Judge Hon. Justice Alusine Sesay guided participants through the key provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024. He also explained how the law operates alongside the Constitution of Sierra Leone and other relevant legislation to safeguard the rights and welfare of children.
Justice Sesay described child marriage as a serious human rights violation, noting that it deprives children of their rights to life, dignity, education, protection and development.
He urged prosecutors and investigators to develop a thorough understanding of the law, emphasizing that legal knowledge is essential for effectively protecting children’s interests and ensuring offenders are held accountable.
Highlighting the importance of keeping children in school, Justice Sesay remarked that “a child in a school uniform is a far better sight than a child in a bridal gown or carrying another child,” underscoring the need to prioritise education over early marriage.
According to Save the Children Sierra Leone, the training forms part of its ongoing collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen enforcement of the child marriage law, improve child protection systems, and accelerate efforts to eliminate child marriage across the country.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 criminalises child marriage in Sierra Leone, and Save the Children said it has continued to support public awareness initiatives and stakeholder engagement to ensure the law is widely understood and effectively implemented.
