By 𝙸𝚜𝚑𝚖𝚊𝚎𝚕 𝚉𝚊𝚢-𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚊
Freetown, 21st April 2026- Save the Children, an International non-governmental organization, gathered schoolchildren, parents, chiefs, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs officials and a Ministry of Social Welfare representative to showcase their special “friendly version” of the Child Marriage Act of 2024, a colorful booklet with drawings and simple words so every boy and girl could understand their rights.
The children were curious and excited, because they now had the opportunity to learn in a simplified manner why no one should ever force a child to get married.
Esther Nyuma, the Director of Advocacy for Save the Children, stood up with a warm smile. She held the friendly booklet high and said loudly, “Child marriage should be a thing of the past.” She explained that every child has the right to play, go to school, dream big, and grow up strong before thinking about marriage. The children nodded, understanding that marriage is for when you are fully grown, not when you still love chasing butterflies or flying kites.
Then Esther opened the friendly booklet and showed them the penalties, which are punishments for adults who break this law. She said in a gentle but firm voice,
“If any adult tries to marry a child, they will have to pay a very heavy fine, or go to jail for a long time, or both.” She also explained that anyone who helps arrange a child marriage, like parents or relatives, can also be punished. The children gasped, but they felt safe knowing the law was on their side.
Next, Betty Johnson-Williams, a police officer from the Family Support Unit (FSU), came forward. She spoke softly because she knew children could be very sensitive about these scary situations. “Children can be sensitive to these situations,” she said, “and it’s becoming increasingly common practice for underage girls” to be forced into marriage.
Betty told the children that if they ever felt worried or unsafe, they could whisper to a teacher, call the FSU helpline, or talk to any Save the Children worker. She promised that the police would listen and protect them.
Betty also explained how to recognize the warning signs. She said, “If an adult tells you to stop school and start wearing wedding clothes, or if someone in your family suddenly says you will live with an older person, that is not right. You must tell someone you trust right away.” She showed them a special badge that FSU officers wear, so children would know who to run to for help. Many children raised their hands and promised to remember her face and her kind words.
Esther Nyuma knelt to the level of the children and replied, “The law protects you even from your own parents if they hurt you. Save the Children and the FSU will find you a safe home and make sure you go back to school.” She reminded everyone that the friendly version of the act was made so that “the friendly version of the Child Marriage Act of 2024 is fully understood by the children we are trying to protect.” The children clapped, feeling brave and powerful.
As the event ended, every child received their own copy of the friendly booklet. They ran home holding it tightly, knowing that child marriage was not just wrong, it was against the law. Thanks to Save the Children, the children learned that their childhood was precious and that the law would always say “no” to anyone who tried to take it away.
And whenever they see a friend in trouble, they should remember to speak up and say, “Child marriage should be a thing of the past!”
