Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone – President Julius Maada Bio has signed the Child Rights Act 2024 into law, marking a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s push to strengthen legal protections for children.
Announcement of the presidential assent came during the ongoing Civic Day Series in Bo City, where the Solicitor General confirmed the development. Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Outreach Coordinator at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, later reaffirmed it.
Passed by Parliament in July 2025, the legislation expands children’s rights to education, health, identity, and protection from abuse and exploitation. It aligns Sierra Leone’s framework with international conventions on child welfare.
Public debate quickly followed, centered on the Act’s silence on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a practice still prevalent across the country. Human rights advocates argue that without an explicit ban, the law leaves a critical gap in protecting girls from gender-based violence.
Supporters counter that ending FGM requires more than legislation, emphasizing the need for cultural engagement and education to shift long-held traditions.
As implementation begins, civil society groups are urging continued reform and community involvement to ensure every child, especially girls, is fully protected under the new law.
