Sierra Leone Banned Child Marriage but Left FGM Legal, Leaving Harmful Practices Intertwined

Sierra Leone criminalized child marriage in July 2024, a legislative victory for advocates. Yet female genital mutilation remains legal despite affecting 83% of women and girls aged 15–49. The two practices converge in Bondo society initiation ceremonies, meaning the child marriage ban leaves a critical harm pathway open. Activists are now pressing for FGM criminalization, but the First Lady has declined to endorse it, citing insufficient data on harms.