Freetown, 28th August, 2026 – Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, will present to the United Nations a draft resolution calling for the official proclamation of an International Day to End Child Marriage.
Her office confirmed that the resolution will be tabled on 4th September, 2026, building on the adoption by the UN General Assembly on 17th December 2024 of a global resolution to end child marriage. The new initiative seeks to institutionalize an annual day of observance, aimed at sustaining international awareness and mobilizing action against the practice.
According to Wusu Dadida Jalloh, Spokesperson in the Office of the First Lady, the proposal represents “a natural next step” in the campaign, ensuring that the issue remains visible on the global agenda.
The African Union Mission to the UN confirmed the development in a post on X, noting that Ambassador Michael Kanu, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, had briefed member states on the draft. He urged African nations to co‑sponsor the initiative and demonstrate strong support during the vote, stressing that the resolution is not only about dignity and rights but also about addressing the health risks and social consequences of child marriage.
Since assuming office as First Lady in 2018, spearheaded the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign, which has mobilized communities across Sierra Leone against child marriage and sexual violence. Her advocacy has extended beyond national borders, with consistent engagement at African Union summits, UN forums, and bilateral meetings with global leaders.
In recent years, she has worked closely with civil society organizations, faith leaders, and youth groups to build momentum for international recognition of the issue. Her office has coordinated awareness campaigns, survivor support programs, and policy dialogues that laid the groundwork for this UN resolution.
If adopted, the resolution will establish an annual day of observance dedicated to ending child marriage worldwide. Advocates believe this will amplify international pressure on governments to strengthen laws, invest in education for girls, and expand health services for vulnerable communities.
Member states have already signalled strong interest, with African delegations emphasizing the importance of collective action. “This is about protecting the dignity of women and girls everywhere,” Ambassador Kanu told colleagues, urging them to stand behind Sierra Leone’s leadership on the issue.
