AYV News, October 7, 2025
At the Survivor Forum of the Child Marriage-Free World Campaign held during the UN General Assembly in New York, Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, delivered a bold and emotionally resonant address, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s leadership in ending child marriage and advancing inclusive child protection.
Dr. Mahoi began by thanking the organizers for creating a platform that centers survivor voices and global solidarity. She paid special tribute to Her Excellency the First Lady of Sierra Leone, whose Hands Off Our Girls campaign galvanized national action and directly championed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill, leading to its historic enactment into law in 2024.
The Minister spotlighted the role of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) and the Kids Parliament, whose advocacy continues to shape policy and demand accountability. She shared updates on daily community engagements, emphasizing the critical role of traditional and religious leaders in transforming harmful norms and protecting children. She also highlighted the strength of collaboration with stakeholders through a vibrant national consortium, working to harmonize efforts and scale impact.
Dr. Mahoi proudly referenced Sierra Leone’s Radical Inclusion Policy, which ensures that pregnant girls, children with disabilities, and other marginalized groups are not pushed out of school but supported to stay, learn, and thrive. She emphasized that school retention is central to breaking the cycle of child marriage and poverty, and called for sustained investment in inclusive education systems.
On the legislative front, she celebrated the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 and acknowledged the Child Rights Act 2025, while urging Parliament to reconsider its silence on punitive measures for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). “We must ensure our laws reflect the full dignity and protection every child deserves,” she affirmed.
Her address was a strategic blueprint for change grounded in survivor testimony, national progress, and global solidarity.
