New York, United States, 7th September, 2026- The United Nations General Assembly has taken a historic step in the global fight against child marriage, unanimously adopting a resolution that designates 27 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The move unites all 193 UN Member States behind a shared commitment to protect the rights, dignity, and future of millions of girls worldwide.
The resolution was championed by Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, who also serves as President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Her years of advocacy have helped elevate the issue onto the global stage, ensuring that governments, civil society, and communities now have an annual platform to intensify awareness and action.
Reacting to the adoption, Madam Bio declared: “Today, the world has spoken with one voice: child, early, and forced marriage has no place in our societies.” She described the resolution as more than symbolic, calling it “a global mandate for action” and reaffirming the responsibility of leaders to ensure that every girl is free to dream, learn, and thrive.
The achievement reflects years of collaboration among African First Ladies, grassroots organisations, and child-rights advocates, including Just Rights for Children and its founder, Bhuwan Ribhu. Ribhu hailed the resolution as a tipping point but stressed that the real challenge lies ahead, urging governments, faith leaders, and communities to act decisively to end child marriage by 2030.
With the establishment of 27 November as an International Day, the global community now has a powerful annual reminder to transform commitments into concrete action. For Sierra Leone, and for First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, the adoption marks both a diplomatic victory and a renewed pledge to safeguard the futures of vulnerable girls across the world.
