Sierra Leone First Lady Fatima Maada Bio delivered a powerful appeal at the United Nations General Assembly, calling for stronger global action to eliminate child, early and forced marriage. She spoke on behalf of Sierra Leone and the Organization of African First Ladies for Development. Her message to world leaders was clear: girls are not asking for sympathy — they are asking for action, dignity, safety, education and the freedom to choose their own futures.
Fatima Maada Bio introduced draft resolution A/80/L.99, which proposes November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The initiative is backed by Sierra Leone and 65 co-sponsoring member states. This resolution aims to raise awareness and drive global action against the harmful practice of child and forced marriage.
The First Lady urged governments to strengthen laws and enforcement to protect girls from violence and exploitation. She also emphasized the need to expand access to education and healthcare, and create economic opportunities for girls and survivors of child and forced marriage. Her appeal is part of a broader effort to promote gender equality and human rights.
Fatima Maada Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s recent Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 as a major step toward protecting children. This law demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to ending child marriage and serves as a model for other countries to follow. The Act is expected to provide a framework for preventing child marriages and protecting the rights of girls.
The issue of child and forced marriage is a significant concern in Sierra Leone and many other countries. According to various reports, thousands of girls are married every year before they reach the age of 18, often with devastating consequences for their health, education and future prospects. The international community has a critical role to play in addressing this issue.
The Organization of African First Ladies for Development, which supported Fatima Maada Bio’s appeal, is a key player in promoting women’s and girls’ rights in Africa. The organization’s efforts focus on issues such as education, healthcare and economic empowerment, with the goal of improving the lives of women and girls across the continent.
The draft resolution introduced by Fatima Maada Bio will be considered by the UN General Assembly. If adopted, it would establish November 27 as an International Day of action to eliminate child, early and forced marriage. This would provide a focal point for global efforts to raise awareness and drive action against this harmful practice.
Key points
- Sierra Leone First Lady Fatima Maada Bio urges global action to eliminate child, early and forced marriage at the UN General Assembly.
- The proposed International Day of action would be held on November 27.
- Sierra Leone’s Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 is cited as a model for protecting children from early and forced marriage.
