Freetown, 10th September, 2026 – The 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone has congratulated First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, for her leadership and advocacy in championing Sierra Leone’s successful efforts towards the adoption of the landmark United Nations Resolution establishing 27th November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
In a release dated 9th September, 2026, the Group stated that the achievement represents a significant milestone, not only for Sierra Leone, but for Africa and the international community. “It places the protection of girls from child, early and forced marriage firmly on the global agenda and sends a clear and powerful message that every girl has the right to live with dignity, free from harmful practices, violence and discrimination,” the Group stated.
The 50/50 Group Sierra Leone commended Dr. Fatima Maada Bio for using her platform to elevate an issue that has profound consequences for the lives, education, health, economic opportunities and future prospects of girls and young women.
Addressing harmful practices, the 50/50 Group believed this achievement also provided an important opportunity to build on the First Lady’s advocacy for the girl child by drawing greater attention to other harmful practices, including Female Genital Cutting (FGC).
The Group noted that child, early and forced marriage does not occur in isolation, but connected to wider social, cultural and economic factors that affect girls’ rights and opportunities. “We are therefore hopeful that the momentum created by this historic resolution, together with the First Lady’s continued leadership, will help strengthen national efforts to address FGC and other harmful practices and advance a more comprehensive approach to protecting the rights, dignity and well-being of girls,” as stated in the release.
The 50/50 Group Sierra Leone called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women’s groups, youth organisations and international partners to ensure that this important global commitment leads to concrete action and measurable change.
