By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has officially enacted the long-debated Child Rights Act 2025, marking a significant legislative milestone in protecting and promoting the rights of children across the country.
After extensive deliberations during both plenary and committee stages, Members of Parliament (MPs) from all political parties gave their final approval to the bill on Thursday, July 3, 2025. The Act was passed following its third reading, with overwhelming support from lawmakers.
The Child Rights Act 2025 is designed to align Sierra Leone’s domestic laws with key international and regional human rights instruments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The law aims to ensure that all children under the age of 18 are protected from abuse, violence, harmful practices, and all forms of exploitation.
One of the most significant provisions is Section 21, which explicitly prohibits all forms of physical violence against children. This includes torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and any punishment that dehumanizes a child or harms their physical or mental well-being.
Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, highlighted the importance of the precise wording used in the Act, noting that “only the clause that ensures a child is not subjected to violence, as reflected in Section 21.1, is acceptable.” He further explained that this provision had already been incorporated into the bill as Clause 19.
During the debate, Hon. Wuyatta Songa played a key role by moving a motion to discard the committee’s previously rejected proposals particularly Options 1 and 2 under Section 23 and to retain the clause that had gained broad consensus. Her motion received widespread support from MPs.
The bill was reviewed and approved in phases, with Parliament systematically adopting Parts 1 through 15, covering Clauses 1 to 174, along with the attached schedule. Several amendments were made during this process to strengthen the law.
Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, who presented the bill to Parliament, expressed deep satisfaction with its passage. “This is the best deal for children,” she stated, describing the Act as a transformative tool for safeguarding the future of Sierra Leone’s next generation.
Presiding over the final session, Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, officially declared the Child Rights Act 2025 passed after its third reading. He commended the collaborative efforts of MPs, the legislative committee, and civil society stakeholders who played vital roles in the legislative process.
The enactment of the Child Rights Act comes at a crucial moment when child protection remains a central issue in public discourse. The new law is expected to provide a robust legal framework for combating child abuse, ensuring equal opportunities, and promoting the overall well-being of every child in Sierra Leone.