Freetown: Government Ministries, Child Protection Agencies, and Civil Society Organizations have signed a pledge committing to end child marriage and fully implement the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2024.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs convened stakeholders at its national headquarters on March 8, 2026, for this gathering. Deputy Minister Hon. Buakai Hindowa Bindi led government representatives, alongside Daniel Albert Gbow from the Children's Directorate and Deputy Secretary Andrew A.B. Kamara. Partner organizations included FoRUT, UNICEF, Ministry of Social Welfare, WAYNPEED, NCC, Child Rights Coalition, Save the Children, traditional leaders, and community solidarity groups.

Child Rights Coalition chairperson Madam Boi Jenneh Jalloh opened proceedings by highlighting the significance of government and civil society united against child marriage. She stressed that implementing existing frameworks remains essential to addressing challenges facing children nationwide.

WAYNPEED Executive Director Abdul Rahman Mahoi commended the Ministry's persistent dedication to child protection. He called for strengthened collaboration between government institutions and partners pursuing this common goal. His organization remains committed to ensuring children can achieve their full potential.

Ministry of Social Welfare representative Worokia Conteh labeled child marriage a "menace" in communities where it persists. She noted recent progress through Ministry interventions including community engagements, sensitization campaigns, and awareness raising. Conteh announced a new memorandum of understanding with the Family Support Unit to enforce penalties against perpetrators. She emphasized positive parenting as fundamental to preventing early marriage. "Our objective is to spread the message across societies," she stated.

Save the Children and Child Rights Coalition representative Victoria Squire described the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act as protection for young girls. She outlined ongoing collaboration between civil society organizations, NGOs, and the government establishing a minimum fifteen-year imprisonment for perpetrators. Squire also announced the completion of a child-friendly version explaining the law's complexities to young audiences.

"Save the Children has been a critical partner supporting advocacy, legal drafting, and ensuring children's voices remain heard throughout this process," Squire affirmed. She pledged to encourage traditional leaders to establish chiefdom monitoring systems identifying and reporting cases. She called on the Family Support Unit to enforce laws effectively and the government to resource national strategies preventing adolescent pregnancy and child marriage. Squire admonished traditional and religious leaders to advocate, prevent, and uphold the law at the community level.

Children from the Children's Forum Network delivered their own pledge against early marriage, emphasizing expectations for government and local institutions to protect their futures.

Deputy Minister Hon. Buakai Hindowa Bindi delivered the keynote address extending greetings to all participants. He connected the initiative to President Bio's human capital development agenda protecting children from harm, particularly early marriage. Bindi outlined the disadvantages including disrupted education and lost social opportunities. He cited the Sexual Offences Act as a legal roadmap protecting women and girls from abuse. The deputy minister advocated good parenting channeling positive ethics rather than relying solely on partner interventions. "The role of children should be limited," he noted regarding their protection.

Bindi encouraged partners to amplify commitments supporting the President's initiative to protect women and children nationwide. He reaffirmed the Ministry's dedication to championing child protection and supporting vulnerable women and girls.

The session continued with stakeholders and children pledging unanimous intervention to protect children from harm, abuse, and marriage.

Government institutions, NGOs, and stakeholders signed a banner marking collective commitment, concluding proceedings with unified resolve championing child protection nationwide.