By George M.O. Williams
FREETOWN—The Child Rights Coalition Sierra Leone (CRC-SL) has urged the Government and Parliament to expedite enacting the Child Rights Bill 2024, which has faced delays since being tabled in 2022.
At a press conference held on June 10, 2025, at Plan International’s Conference Hall on Kingharman Road, CRC-SL National Chairperson Boi-Jeneh Jalloh expressed frustration over the legislative delay, particularly regarding contentious provisions on Female Genital Cutting (FGC).
“We commend the Government of Sierra Leone for its commitment to child protection, but the prolonged delay in passing this bill is concerning,” Jalloh stated.
The Child Rights Bill 2024 is the result of a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act 2007 and incorporates findings from CRC-SL’s 2019 assessment report on its implementation. The coalition actively participated in nationwide consultations led by the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs to ensure children’s voices and stakeholder concerns were reflected in the legislation.
Jalloh highlighted key provisions, including protective measures against child exploitation, improved juvenile justice reforms, expansion of the National Commission for Children’s mandate, and strengthened parental responsibilities. She emphasized that the bill aligns with international child protection standards under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
CRC-SL is calling on lawmakers to fulfill Sierra Leone’s commitments under regional protocols, including Article 21(1) of the African Charter, Article 5(b) of the Maputo Protocol, and the joint General Comment on Female Genital Mutilation by African human rights bodies.
As deliberations continue, child rights advocates remain hopeful that Parliament will prioritize the bill’s passage to safeguard the well-being of Sierra Leone’s children.