Global Programme to End Child Marriage Steering Committee Concludes Joint Field Visit to Sierra Leone

Freetown, Sierra Leone – A high-level delegation from the Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) Steering Committee has concluded a week-long joint field visit to Sierra Leone, reaffirming strong national and global commitment to ending child marriage and advancing the rights and wellbeing of adolescent girls.

In Sierra Leone, the Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) has contributed to a reduction in child marriages and expanded opportunities for over 160,000 adolescent girls since 2016, while strengthening national systems and encouraging communities to challenge harmful practices.

The visit, hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, brought together key stakeholders to review progress in efforts to end child marriage, strengthen partnerships, and identify priorities to accelerate action.

Reflecting on the importance of the visit, stakeholders emphasized the need for sustained collaboration and investment:

“Ending child marriage remains a top priority for the Government of Sierra Leone. We have made meaningful progress through strengthened policies, including the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, community engagement, and expanded opportunities for girls, but we are not complacent. We remain fully committed to protecting every girl’s rights and ensuring she can grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment,” says Honorable Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs.

“We have seen very encouraging results from our collective efforts to strengthen child protection and other systems, expand access to essential services, and keep girls in school. Sustaining and accelerating this progress requires continued investment in systems that protect and empower adolescent girls, ensuring that no child is left behind,” says Rudolf Schwenk, UNICEF Representative.

"The mission confirms that real progress comes from integrating adolescent health with efforts to transform harmful social norms. To reach our 2030 goal, we must act with urgency; scaling what works and accelerating impact, especially for girls in the most remote and marginalized communities," says Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA Representative.

“This visit has provided valuable insights into the progress being made in Sierra Leone and the impact of coordinated, community-driven interventions. It also reinforces the importance of sustained global commitment and investment to scale up what works to accelerate efforts in partnership to end child marriage,” says Isabelle Solon Helal, Deputy Director, Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Child Protection at Global Affairs Canada and Global Programme to End Child Marriage Steering Committee Member.

Over the course of the mission, the delegation engaged with senior government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and communities to assess the impact of ongoing interventions under the Global Programme. High-level discussions in Freetown underscored the importance of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving education, health, child protection, justice, and social welfare systems in addressing child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

The delegation also visited Kambia and Koinadugu Districts, where they interacted directly with adolescent girls and boys, families, and community leaders. The Steering Committee observed a range of interventions, including adolescent-friendly health services, safe spaces for girls, school reintegration programmes, and community dialogue initiatives aimed at addressing harmful social norms. These visits provided valuable insights into how national policies and programmes are translating into real change at community level.

As Sierra Leone continues to build on its progress, partners remain committed to working together to ensure that every girl can grow up free from child marriage, complete her education, and reach her full potential.

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About the Global Programme to End Child Marriage

The Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) is a joint initiative of UNICEF and UNFPA, supporting countries with high prevalence of child marriage to implement evidence-based, girl-centered strategies. The programme focuses on empowering girls, engaging families and communities, strengthening systems, and improving data and evidence for policy and programming.

For more information about the Global Programme to End Child Marriage, visit UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage | UNICEF and Phase III Programme Document: UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage | United Nations Population Fund

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in Sierra Leone, visit https://www.unicef.org/sierraleone

Follow UNICEF Sierra Leone on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

About UNFPA

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, works in over 150 countries and territories to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

For more information about UNFPA and its work for children in Sierra Leone, visit https://sierraleone.unfpa.org/en

Follow UNFPA Sierra Leone on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube

For further information, please contact:

UNICEF: Harriet Mason, UNICEF Sierra Leone, +232 78 597004, [email protected]

UNFPA: Ava Whyte, UNFPA Sierra Leone, +232 77 842129 [email protected]