PRESS STATEMENT BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATION OF SIERRA LEONE (PPASL) ON THE RECENTLY ENACTED CHILD MARRIAGE BILL

The Volunteers and Staff of the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) commend the government and partners, including Save the Children, for taking the bold step to make Child Marriage illegal in Sierra Leone.

This is a significant milestone in protecting children and ensuring their well-being. Child marriage is a harmful practice with devastating consequences for young girls, and also negatively impacts their physical and mental health, and education. We believe that any legislation aimed at combating child marriage must prioritize the best interests of the child and uphold the fundamental rights of all children to be protected from all forms of abuse, exploitation, and harm. The bill ensures comprehensive protection for children, which includes measures to prevent and address the root causes of child marriage.   

PPASL is implementing a six-year project, ‘Strengthening Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health’, whose main goal is to empower adolescent girls to make informed decisions and choices for their well-being and growth. The Association has been hosting radio and TV broadcasts on various topics, ranging from Adolescent SRHR, Teenage Pregnancy Reduction, and Early Child Marriage. PPASL’s projects are youth-focused and utilize integrated approaches. 

The Association contributes to the country’s DHIS2 platform, and data includes adolescent SRHR, early child marriage, and teenage pregnancy reduction, which contributed to the enactment of the bill.

PPASL is a member of the technical working groups (TWGs), ‘ Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Secretariat’, which encompasses Child Marriage; Vice Chair for Peoples Alliance for Reproductive Health Advocacy, a CSO with over 60 members advocating for the passage of the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill; National SRH TWG.

It is crucial as a nation to work together, to raise awareness, enforce the law, and provide support to those at risk of child marriage. We recognise and appreciate the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, for her commitment to ending this harmful practice and prioritizing the rights and welfare of children, and the national launch to create public awareness.

As an organization committed to promoting the rights and well-being of children, we stand ready to work with the government, civil society, partners, and other stakeholders to advocate for legislation that truly protects the rights of children in Sierra Leone.

We call on all Sierra Leoneans to prioritize the protection of children and to take immediate action to address the harmful practice of child marriage in the country.