In a determined effort to eradicate child marriage in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Sierra Leone Police (Family Support Unit) held a high-level stakeholder meeting on the roll-out of the newly enacted Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024. The event, which took place at the Police Wives Hall in Kingtom, Freetown, marked a significant moment in the fight against child marriage, featuring the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Family Support Unit (FSU).
The meeting brought together government officials, social workers, law enforcement officers, and key stakeholders to discuss each entity’s critical roles in enforcing the Act and ensuring the protection of vulnerable children across the country. The collaboration aims to enhance coordination between the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Sierra Leone Police, ensuring that cases of child marriage are addressed swiftly and effectively.
In her opening remarks, the chairp
erson stressed the government’s unwavering commitment to ending child marriage in Sierra Leone, emphasizing the crucial support of development partners. “This is a fight we cannot afford to lose,” she declared, calling on everyone present to protect the future of Sierra Leone’s young girls.
Barrister Mitchell Conteh provided an insightful overview of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, explaining the legal implications for perpetrators and highlighting the devastating impact of child marriage on victims. “Child marriage is not just a rural issue; it affects children across the country, but it is particularly prevalent in the provinces,” he said. Barrister Conteh urged all stakeholders, from government officials to community leaders, to see the Act as a collective responsibility.
Madam Mariau Bangura, the professional head of the Ministry of Social Welfare, outlined the crucial role social workers will play in the fight against child marriage. She explained that social workers are ready to educate communi
ties on the practice’s harmful effects through awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and radio programs. “We are committed to reaching the most vulnerable communities and ensuring that every girl knows her rights,” she said, highlighting the importance of local engagement.
Inspector General of Police, Mr Williams Sallu, thanked the Ministry of Social Welfare for their strong partnership and reiterated the Sierra Leone Police’s dedication to ending child marriage. “Our office is fully committed to this cause, and we are ready to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that the law is enforced,” he stated. Mr Sallu also called on development partners to provide financial support to the Ministry and the Family Support Unit to strengthen their efforts in tackling child marriage.
While the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Bio, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker, the Honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Madam Melrose Karminty, took the stage on her behalf. Minister Karminty assured stakeholders
that the Ministry’s staff are well-trained professionals who work closely with children and families to address recurring issues that negatively impact their lives. “Our social workers are on the frontlines, working to resolve the root causes of child marriage and protect our girls,” she said.
In her concluding remarks, Minister Karminty passionately declared, “Our girls have the potential to shape their own futures, and it is our responsibility to protect that future.” She called on all stakeholders present to unite in the fight against child marriage and ensure that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024 is fully enforced.
The signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Family Support Unit marks a significant step forward in the fight against child marriage in Sierra Leone. With this new collaboration, there is hope that the country can make substantial progress in protecting its children and upholding their rights.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency