Sierra Leone Has Passed A Law To Ban Child Marriage

Sierra Leone has one of the world’s highest rates for child marriage, early pregnancy and maternal deaths, with one third of girls married before they are 18.

Sierra Leone Has Passed A Law To Ban Child Marriage

Sierra Leone has passed a law to ban child marriage.

Sierra leone bans child marriage
A Sierra Leonian girl stands outside her house July 22, 2002 along the border of Liberia on the eastern border of Sierra Leone. (Photo credit: Getty)

The country has one of the world’s highest rates for child marriage, early pregnancy and maternal deaths.

child marriage banned in sierra leone
Via Getty Images

One third of girls are married before they are 18, while another third give birth before they are 19, according to government data.

child marriage illegal sierra leone
Via Getty Images

On Friday June 21, the parliament passed a law that will make it a crime to marry girls aged below 18.

sierra leone child marriage
Sia Lansana, 13, who sells donuts at the local market, poses for photographs in Kenema, Sierra Leone, December 13, 2008. (Photo credit: Getty)

Under the law, people found guilty could be jailed for up to 15 years.

A girl attends school in Kenema, Sierra Leone. (Photo credit: Getty)

The legislation will now go to the president to be signed into law.

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