By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Sierra Leone (CARL-SL), has expressed serious concerns following a recent press statement from Parliament dated July 7, 2025, regarding the Child Rights Act, 2025, particularly its handling of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
In its statement, Parliament indicated that the Act does not criminalize FGM nor impose fines on those practicing it on girls under the age of eighteen. CARL-SL described this omission as deeply troubling, given the severe and long-lasting physical and psychological harm caused by FGM to girls and women.
“The protection of children’s rights and well-being must be at the forefront of any law or policy,” CARL-SL emphasized.
The organization called on Parliament and President Julius Maada Bio to urgently reconsider the Act’s provisions to ensure alignment with international and regional human rights standards. CARL-SL further urged the Government to engage in broad consultations with civil society groups specializing in children’s rights and gender issues to strengthen the legislation.
Highlighting the critical need to safeguard girls and women across Sierra Leone, CARL-SL also appealed to President Bio to withhold his signature on the Act and return it to Parliament with amendments that explicitly criminalize child FGM.
CARL-SL reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability and the rule of law in Sierra Leone and pledged to continue monitoring the implementation of the Child Rights Act, advocating for the full protection of women and girls.
