Freetown: The Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs (MoGCA), in collaboration with Save the Children and allied protection agencies, has introduced a child-accessible version of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act at a ceremony held at the Brookfields Hotel in New England Ville. The event was attended by development partners such as Plan International, World Vision, UNICEF, paramount chiefs, and various child protection bodies, all committed to combating underage unions in Sierra Leone. According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Mrs. Boi Jenneh Jalloh, serving as the head of the Child Rights Coalition, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the launch as a significant step towards empowering young people with knowledge of their rights. MoGCA's Chief Director, Mr. Charles Vandi, elaborated on the simplified document, stating that it is designed to help primary pupils and adolescents understand legal provisions, thereby increasing awareness and advancing youth protection. Ms. Sawaneh from the Human Rights C ommission connected early marriages to community-level insecurity and harmful traditional practices. She emphasized the importance of parental responsibility, local awareness, and collaboration with traditional chiefs to address the issue. Advocacy Director Esther Elliott Nyuma from Save the Children confirmed the organization's commitment to protecting minors, highlighting that the plain-language version of the Act empowers children to understand their rights and seek assistance. The event featured a personal testimony from Kadijatu Lamarana Shunem Barrie, a graduate from Fourah Bay College, who shared her experience of resisting marriage at the age of 14 in Kambia District. Mrs. Betty Johnson from the Family Support Unit discussed the adverse health, educational, and social impacts of child marriage, particularly for girls, and called for stricter law enforcement and advocacy in areas where such practices persist. Deputy Director Aminata Kargbo and Victoria Squire presented a technical breakdown of the Ac t, explaining its key clauses and the simplified format before handing over the child-friendly document to the deputy minister for official release. In his keynote address, Deputy Minister Buakai Hindowa Bindi commended the continuous support of development partners and praised President Dr. Julius Maada Bio's commitment to child protection and gender equality. He emphasized the government's determination to protect children's rights and ensure that girls can grow, learn, and achieve their full potential, declaring that "Girls should be girls, not mothers." The ceremony concluded with a strong call to action, reaffirming a collective commitment to ending child marriage in Sierra Leone. This official rollout of the child-friendly Prohibition of Child Marriage Act marks a significant milestone in raising awareness, protecting, and empowering young people throughout the nation.