First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on 4 September 2026 as part of a renewed international campaign to eliminate child, early and forced marriage.
During her appearance, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, who also serves as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, is expected to present a draft resolution proposing the establishment of an International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The initiative seeks to create a recognized annual occasion for countries, international organisations, civil society groups and development partners to intensify public awareness, strengthen protective policies and mobilize resources to address the practice.
According to the Office of the First Lady, the proposed international day would also provide a global platform for Governments and organisations to exchange successful approaches and accelerate coordinated action aimed at safeguarding girls.
Child, early and forced marriage remains a major barrier to the education, health and development of millions of girls worldwide. Girls who marry at an early age frequently face increased risks of leaving school, experiencing gender-based violence and enduring complications associated with teenage pregnancy and childbirth.
The draft resolution is therefore expected to emphasize the importance of protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of girls while ensuring that they have access to education and opportunities to determine their own futures.
The proposal represents another stage in Dr. Fatima Maada Bio’s international advocacy against sexual and gender-based violence. Her campaigns have consistently focused on protecting women and girls from rape, exploitation, harmful practices and other forms of abuse.
Her latest intervention builds on Sierra Leone’s role in advancing a 2022 United Nations General Assembly resolution concerning access to justice, remedies and assistance for survivors of sexual violence. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio played a prominent advocacy role in promoting international support for the measure.
The Office of the First Lady described the upcoming presentation as evidence of Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in the campaign to protect girls and strengthen international cooperation against harmful practices.
If supported by the General Assembly, the proposed international day could encourage countries to regularly assess their progress, improve legislation and expand programmes designed to prevent child marriage and support affected girls.
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio is also expected to use her address to call for greater political commitment, sustained financing and stronger partnerships among Governments, traditional and religious leaders, women’s organisations, youth groups and development agencies.
The initiative places Sierra Leone at the forefront of efforts to transform the fight against child marriage into a sustained global movement, with particular attention to protecting girls’ education, wellbeing and freedom of choice.
