Sierra Leone outlaws child marriage, witnesses to face jail or a fine

Sierra Leone outlaws child marriage, and even witnesses to such weddings will be punished

In this Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 file photo, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, at UN headquarters. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone -

A bill that bans child marriage in Sierra Leone has been signed into law, President Julius Maada Bio said late Tuesday, in an effort to protect girls in the West African nation where about a third are married before adulthood.

The law is being celebrated widely. It criminalizes marrying any girl who is under 18 years old. Offenders face up to 15 years in prison or a fine of around US$4,000 or both. Witnesses to such marriages will also face jail or a fine.

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"I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female," Bio said on social media platform X. "This and future generations of girls must thrive in Sierra Leone in which they're protected, equal and empowered."

Sierra Leone is home to 800,000 child brides, with half of them married before age 15, according to the UN children's agency.

First Lady Fatima Bio was among the key champions of the law that also provides improved access to education and support services for children affected by child marriage.

When it was passed by parliament as a bipartisan bill in June, she called it "a significant step forward in protecting the rights of our next generation."

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