Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, is taking the fight against child, early and forced marriage to the United Nations, drawing from an experience that nearly shaped her own childhood.
At about 10 years old, Bio already knew who she was expected to marry before she narrowly escaped the marriage.
Decades later, she is returning to the United Nations General Assembly in New York with a proposal to give the global campaign against child marriage a permanent place on the international calendar.
Bio is expected to present a draft resolution seeking the proclamation of November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The proposed date is not currently an official United Nations observance, but supporters say a dedicated international day could help sustain global attention and action against a practice that continues to affect millions of girls.
Bio has spent years advocating for the protection and empowerment of women and girls through her flagship Hands Off Our Girls campaign, which focuses on ending rape, early marriage and violence against women and girls.
Her advocacy has also extended to girls’ education, women’s health and child protection.
The latest push builds on her previous engagement with the United Nations.
In 2022, she spearheaded efforts that led the General Assembly to proclaim November 18 as the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence.
Sierra Leone has also taken legislative action domestically, enacting a law in 2024 prohibiting marriage involving anyone under the age of 18.
But Bio’s latest initiative is aimed at taking that national conversation to the global level.
The United Nations has consistently identified child marriage as a major barrier to girls’ education, health, economic opportunities and personal autonomy.
And while an international day would not, on its own, end the practice, it could provide governments, civil society organisations, schools and international agencies with an annual platform to assess progress and renew commitments.
Bio’s advocacy has increasingly extended beyond child marriage.
Last week, OncoDaily named her among its 100 Influential Women in Oncology for 2026, recognising her work in women’s health and cancer prevention.
Her partnership with the Merck Foundation has also supported specialist medical training in Sierra Leone, including scholarships contributing to the development of the country’s cancer-care workforce.
Bio has additionally advocated for breast cancer awareness and early detection, and participated in discussions around the World Health Organisation’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative.
Her role has therefore evolved beyond the traditional public engagements associated with a First Lady, spanning women’s health, girls’ education and child protection.
She also serves as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, while UNAIDS has appointed her a champion for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women.
But the child-marriage campaign carries a particular personal significance.
The girl who once faced the possibility of a marriage decided by adults is now an advocate asking world leaders to ensure other girls have the opportunity to determine their own futures.
And as Fatima Maada Bio takes that message to the United Nations, she is seeking more than an international designation.
She is asking governments to keep the issue visible, strengthen protections for girls and ensure that childhood is not cut short by decisions made before a girl is old enough to make them for herself.
Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio
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