Sierra Leone Initiates First Prosecution Under Landmark Child Marriage Ban
Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a landmark legal action, four men have been charged with the forcible marriage of a 17-year-old girl. The defendants include the victim's father and her husband. Their identities have been withheld to protect the child.
This is the first prosecution under Sierra Leone's Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, which sets the legal minimum marriage age at 18.
The marriage took place in Grafton, a suburb of the capital, Freetown. The charges follow the country's ban on child marriage, enacted two years ago, which had been widely flouted, with underage forced marriages often officiated by local religious leaders.
Strong Legal Penalties
If convicted, the accused face a minimum of 15 years in prison, a fine of approximately $4,000 (USD), or both. The law also allows for the prosecution of wedding attendees, signaling a broad crackdown on the practice.
A Patriarchal Practice
Sierra Leone remains a deeply patriarchal society where fathers have commonly given their daughters in marriage forcibly, a custom the new law aims to eradicate.
Official Statement
Alpha Sesay, Sierra Leone's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, commented on the case:
"The charges represent a significant milestone in the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024."