Sierra Leone First Lady Champions Child Marriage Ban

Sierra Leone's First Lady, Fatima Bio, has been instrumental in the implementation of a national law banning child marriage, which took effect in 2024. This legislative achievement follows her personal experience of nearly being a child bride at age 13 in 1996, an arrangement she escaped due to the Sierra Leonean civil war, subsequently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

Bio, who became First Lady in 2018 following her husband Julius Bio's election as president, has leveraged her platform to advocate for women's and girls' rights. Her initiatives include addressing period poverty by distributing free sanitary products, aiming to reduce school absenteeism among girls. She also serves as the head of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).

Despite her advocacy, Bio faces scrutiny regarding her active political involvement and her continued tenancy of a council flat in Southwark, London, where her children reside. Southwark Council has stated it does not comment on individual tenancies but conducts checks to ensure compliance with tenancy agreements. Bio defends her tenancy, citing her children's British citizenship and her personal payment of rent.