Sierra Leone introduced a new law banning child marriage with much fanfare at a ceremony hosted by the first lady Fatima Biography in the capital, Freetown.
Guests, including first ladies of Cape Verde and Namibia, watched their husband, President Julius Maada Biography sanctioned the Child Marriage Prohibition Act.
Anyone currently involved in the marriage of a girl under 18 will be jailed for at least 15 years or fined around $4,000 (£3,200), or both.
University student Khadijatu Barrie, whose sister got married at 14, told the BBC she welcomed the ban but wished it had happened to save her younger brother.
“I really wish this had happened sooner. I could have at least saved my sister, my friends and other neighbors,” said the 26-year-old gender studies student.
Sierra Leone is a patriarchal society and it is common for a father to forcibly give his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Ms. Barrie faced this prospect at age 10. She resisted and fled the family home after her father disowned her.
She was lucky to find teachers who paid her school fees and a friendly worker from the UN children’s agency who helped her with accommodation.
But she says it is difficult for those living in rural areas to buck tradition and all communities will need to be informed about the new law for it to be effective.
“If everyone understands what’s in store for you if you do this, I’m sure this country will be better,” Barrie said.
The Ministry of Health estimates that a third of girls are married before they turn 18, which is responsible for the high number of maternal deaths in the country – one of the highest in the world.
Among those punished under the new rules are the groom, the parents or guardians of the child bride and even those who attended the wedding.
Mrs Bio, who has been at the forefront of the campaign against sexual abuse since her husband became president six years ago, wanted the signing of the bill to be a grand occasion.
Since lawmakers passed the legislation a few weeks ago, it hasn’t received much local coverage.
At the ceremony, President Bio said that his “motivation and commitment to the empowerment of women and girls is firmly rooted in my personal life path”.
His eight-year-old daughter was among those who saw him sign the bill.
The 60-year-old president explained how he lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother and later his older sister, who “supported and encouraged me to pursue my dreams in the best way possible.”
He acknowledged his wife’s commitment to defending women’s rights: “Together, we want to build an empowered Sierra Leone, where women have a balanced platform to reach their full potential. I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female.”
Human rights activists reacted favorably to the law, considering it a watershed moment.
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