Home News FBC Law Students Hold Public Presentation on Child Marriage Act

FBC Law Students Hold Public Presentation on Child Marriage Act

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Hassanatu Kamara
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The public presentation was part of the students’ continuous assessment for their core module, ‘Introduction to Law’. The event focused on the topic: *“A Legal Advisory Opinion on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024”*. The presentation was graced by distinguished guests, including members of parliament, the Head of the Family Support Unit of Sierra Leone Police, the Dean, lecturers, and students. It showcased the students’ comprehensive understanding of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 (Act No. 5 of 2024). The educational event featured a drama skit and a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted key aspects of the law since its enactment. While there are no official statistics available on the impact of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 to date, recent UNICEF Sierra Leone data indicates that approximately one in three girls (30%) in Sierra Leone is married before the age of 18. The country is home to roughly 800,000 child brides, with 400,000 of them married before reaching 15 years old. In his remarks, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition APC Party in Parliament, emphasized the need for further development of the law. He highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness about its provisions and the severe consequences of early child marriage. He stressed that ensuring citizens understand the law’s purpose and impact is crucial, and called for collective efforts to facilitate its effective implementation. He also noted that Parliament relies on well-informed citizens and future legal professionals whose ideas and expertise can contribute meaningfully to policy development and the ongoing improvement of national laws. Detective Superintendent Mohamed Y.S. Mansary, Head of the Family Support Unit of Sierra Leone Police, reiterated that child marriage remains a significant challenge both locally and globally, despite years of advocacy. He pointed out that factors such as poverty, teenage pregnancy, and harmful traditional practices continue to fuel the practice. The presenters provided detailed insights into the law, discussing its loopholes, challenges, and offering recommendations for its smooth implementation. They called for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to raise awareness and ensure the law’s effective enforcement.
The public presentation was part of the students’ continuous assessment for their core module, ‘Introduction to Law’. The event focused on the topic: *“A Legal Advisory Opinion on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024”*. The presentation was graced by distinguished guests, including members of parliament, the Head of the Family Support Unit of Sierra Leone Police, the Dean, lecturers, and students. It showcased the students’ comprehensive understanding of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 (Act No. 5 of 2024). The educational event featured a drama skit and a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted key aspects of the law since its enactment. While there are no official statistics available on the impact of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 to date, recent UNICEF Sierra Leone data indicates that approximately one in three girls (30%) in Sierra Leone is married before the age of 18. The country is home to roughly 800,000 child brides, with 400,000 of them married before reaching 15 years old. In his remarks, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition APC Party in Parliament, emphasized the need for further development of the law. He highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness about its provisions and the severe consequences of early child marriage. He stressed that ensuring citizens understand the law’s purpose and impact is crucial, and called for collective efforts to facilitate its effective implementation. He also noted that Parliament relies on well-informed citizens and future legal professionals whose ideas and expertise can contribute meaningfully to policy development and the ongoing improvement of national laws. Detective Superintendent Mohamed Y.S. Mansary, Head of the Family Support Unit of Sierra Leone Police, reiterated that child marriage remains a significant challenge both locally and globally, despite years of advocacy. He pointed out that factors such as poverty, teenage pregnancy, and harmful traditional practices continue to fuel the practice. The presenters provided detailed insights into the law, discussing its loopholes, challenges, and offering recommendations for its smooth implementation. They called for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to raise awareness and ensure the law’s effective enforcement.

The public presentation was part of the students’ continuous assessment for their core module, ‘Introduction to Law’. The event focused on the topic: “A Legal Advisory Opinion on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024”.

The presentation was graced by distinguished guests, including members of parliament, the Head of the Family Support Unit of Sierra Leone Police, the Dean, lecturers, and students. It showcased the students’ comprehensive understanding of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 (Act No. 5 of 2024).

The educational event featured a drama skit and a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted key aspects of the law since its enactment. While there are no official statistics available on the impact of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 to date, recent UNICEF Sierra Leone data indicates that approximately one in three girls (30%) in Sierra Leone is married before the age of 18. The country is home to roughly 800,000 child brides, with 400,000 of them married before reaching 15 years old.

In his remarks, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition APC Party in Parliament, emphasized the need for further development of the law. He highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness about its provisions and the severe consequences of early child marriage. He stressed that ensuring citizens understand the law’s purpose and impact is crucial, and called for collective efforts to facilitate its effective implementation. He also noted that Parliament relies on well-informed citizens and future legal professionals whose ideas and expertise can contribute meaningfully to policy development and the ongoing improvement of national laws.

Detective Superintendent Mohamed Y.S. Mansary, Head of the Family Support Unit of Sierra Leone Police, reiterated that child marriage remains a significant challenge both locally and globally, despite years of advocacy. He pointed out that factors such as poverty, teenage pregnancy, and harmful traditional practices continue to fuel the practice.

The presenters provided detailed insights into the law, discussing its loopholes, challenges, and offering recommendations for its smooth implementation. They called for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to raise awareness and ensure the law’s effective enforcement.

Hassanatu Kamara
Hassanatu Kamara
Hassanatu Kamara is a radio journalist at Star Radio in Freetown who reports on environmental and human-interest stories. She is committed to gender equality and youth empowerment, using her work to highlight important social issues and promote positive change in her community.
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