By Alusine Sesay
Freetown, September 4, 2026: Former United States Vice President and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has praised Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio for her leadership in championing the newly adopted United Nations resolution establishing an International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
In a statement posted on her official Facebook page on Friday, Clinton described child marriage as “one of the most urgent, preventable violations of girls’ rights,” noting that every year 12 million girls are married before their 18th birthdays, losing opportunities for education, health, and personal development.
“I am so grateful to First Lady Fatima Maada Bio for her work to champion today’s adopted U.N. resolution,” Clinton wrote, commending Sierra Leone’s role alongside Cape Verde, Costa Rica, and Morocco in pushing for the landmark measure.
Clinton emphasized that the resolution is a critical step toward recognizing the right of girls and young women to freely decide their futures. She called for greater resources and political will to tackle child marriage globally, urging citizens everywhere to join the fight.
The UN resolution, adopted this week, seeks to raise global awareness and mobilize action against child, early, and forced marriage. Sierra Leone’s First Lady has been at the forefront of advocacy, building on her Hands Off Our Girls campaign and international partnerships to position Sierra Leone as a leading voice in the fight against child marriage.
Clinton also referenced her collaboration earlier this year with Dr. Fatima Bio and Sheryl Sandberg on a report by the Columbia Institute of Global Politics titled Accelerating Efforts to End Child Marriage. The report outlines strategies for scaling up interventions and mobilizing global support to protect girls’ rights.
Clinton’s commendation highlights Sierra Leone’s growing international profile in advancing gender equality and protecting children’s rights. The First Lady’s advocacy has drawn attention from global leaders, reinforcing the country’s role in shaping international policy on child protection.