Dr. Ibrahim Bangura has urged Sierra Leone to do more to protect girls from child marriage and harmful practices, saying every girl should have the opportunity to complete her education.
Speaking at the 11th Annual National Girls Empowerment Forum (NaGEF 2026) at Parliament, Dr. Bangura said early marriage and other harmful practices continued to disrupt girls’ education, threaten their wellbeing and limit their future opportunities.
The forum, organised by Kids Advocacy Network Sierra Leone, was held from 28 to 31 October under the theme: “Her Choice Is to Be in School, Not in the Matrimonial Home: Invest in Her and End FGM for a Brighter Future.”
Dr. Bangura, leader of the DIB Movement and a presumptive flagbearer of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), called on government, Parliament, schools, parents and community leaders to move beyond public commitments and take practical steps to protect girls.
He said empowering girls should not be viewed as an act of goodwill but as an investment in the country’s human capital and long-term development.
Education, he argued, gives girls the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, earn a living and participate in national development.
He also called on men and boys to take part in efforts to challenge harmful social attitudes and protect children.
Dr. Bangura identified access to quality education, stronger child-protection systems, mentorship, skills training and targeted support for vulnerable girls as priorities.
He praised Kids Advocacy Network Sierra Leone for sustaining the forum for 11 years, but said stronger partnerships were needed to turn advocacy into practical results.
The forum’s central message was that girls should be able to choose education and determine their futures without pressure to enter marriage before they are ready.
