By: Saidu Jalloh
At the Survivor Forum of the Child Marriage-Free World Campaign, held during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, delivered a powerful and emotionally charged speech reaffirming Sierra Leone’s leadership in the global effort to end child marriage and protect children’s rights.
In her address, Dr. Mahoi began by thanking the organizers for creating a platform that amplifies the voices of survivors and fosters global solidarity in addressing the issue of child marriage. She paid tribute to Her Excellency, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, whose Hands Off Our Girls campaign ignited national action and was instrumental in the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill in 2024.
The Minister highlighted the key role played by the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) and the Kids Parliament in advocating for policy change and demanding accountability from the government. She shared updates on ongoing community engagement efforts, emphasizing the importance of involving traditional and religious leaders in transforming harmful cultural norms and protecting children. Dr. Mahoi also highlighted the collaborative efforts of a vibrant national consortium, which continues to harmonize activities and scale up the impact of interventions.
A key focus of Dr. Mahoi’s speech was Sierra Leone’s Radical Inclusion Policy, which ensures that pregnant girls, children with disabilities, and other marginalized groups are supported to stay in school, learn, and thrive. She emphasized that school retention is critical in breaking the cycle of child marriage and poverty, urging for continued investment in inclusive education systems.
On the legislative front, Dr. Mahoi celebrated the passage of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 and acknowledged the forthcoming Child Rights Act 2025. However, she also urged Parliament to address gaps in the law, specifically regarding the lack of punitive measures for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). “Our laws must reflect the full dignity and protection that every child deserves,” she affirmed.
Dr. Mahoi’s address served as a strategic blueprint for change—one grounded in the voices of survivors, national progress, and the spirit of global collaboration.