By Josephine Sesay

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has taken a major step toward protecting children’s rights in Sierra Leone by convening a high-level consultative meeting in Freetown to review and finalize regulations for the newly enacted Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. The session marks a critical milestone in ensuring the nationwide implementation of the law.

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including Save the Children, UNICEF, the National Commission for Children (NCC), Child Rights Coalition, Youth and Child Advocacy Network (YACAN), and other child protection organizations. Senior officials, among them Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandi and Director of Children’s Affairs Mrs. Joyce B. Kamara, led the deliberations.

Deputy Chief Director Vandi stressed the importance of inclusivity in shaping the regulations, pointing out that successful implementation relies on collective ownership.

These regulations should not reflect the views of one institution alone, Vandi said. They must capture the voices of all stakeholders to advance gender equality and safeguard the rights of every child in Sierra Leone.”

Discussions also centered on strategies for public awareness and education. Deputy Director Daniel Albert Gbow praised Save the Children for producing a simplified version of the Act to make its provisions accessible to the general public. He emphasized the need for expanded collaboration with key partners, including the Children’s Forum Network and the Office of the First Lady, to strengthen outreach through community engagement and radio programming.

Several participants raised pressing concerns. Boi Jeneh Jalloh, Chairperson of the Child Rights Coalition, highlighted the profound psychological and social impacts of child marriage, particularly on girls, and underscored the critical importance of ensuring consent in all marital arrangements.

Representatives from Plan International called for clearer guidelines on the role of religious leaders and the handling of disputes where parental consent may become contentious.

To align the regulations with broader continental frameworks, participants agreed to review and circulate key documents from the African Union Mission on Child Protection and Harmful Practices, ensuring coherence with regional standards and commitments.

The consultative meeting concluded with a shared pledge from all partners to expedite finalization of the regulations and roll them out nationwide through a coordinated, inclusive, and transparent process.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,18th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)