“Hands Off Our Girls” First Lady Fatima Bio to Table UN Resolution on Child Marriage

First Lady Dr Fatima Bio is expected to present a draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on September 4, seeking the establishment of an International Day to End Child Marriage.

The proposed international day would provide a platform for governments and organisations to raise awareness, mobilise resources and strengthen efforts to eliminate child marriage around the world.

Dr Bio has made the issue a major part of her Hands Off Our Girls campaign. She has also spoken publicly about escaping a forced marriage at the age of 12, saying her personal experience continues to influence her advocacy.

Sierra Leone’s initiative has received support from African diplomats, with Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Michael Kanu, calling on African countries to co-sponsor the resolution.