The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered Sierra Leone to award USD 10,000 in compensation to a child marriage survivor, undertake legal and institutional reforms to strengthen protection of girls from child marriage, and investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible for the minor’s child marriage, in a landmark ruling that echoes across West Africa and affirms that States cannot remain passive in the face of child marriage.
The case, ‘A Minor’ and AdvocAid Limited against the Republic of Sierra Leone (ECW/CCJ/APP/09/24), was filed in February 2024 by the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and AdvocAid Limited (ADVOCAID). It challenged Sierra Leone’s failure to respond to the child marriage of a minor who was married at age 11 in 2017.
The marriage exposed her to harms that culminated in her 2021 conviction for murdering her co-wife’s child. She was detained at the Approved School at the President’s pleasure for four years until receiving a presidential pardon in August 2025.
The Applicants argued that Sierra Leone’s failure to prevent the child marriage placed her in circumstances that brought her into conflict with the law. The case exposed systemic gaps in the country’s legal framework for protecting girls from child marriage and its consequences.
While the case was pending, Sierra Leone passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2024 and the Child Rights Act of 2025, which expressly prohibit child marriage.
The Court’s Finding
The Court held that Sierra Leone failed to take adequate measures to prevent and eliminate child marriage and to effectively protect the minor and other girls. It further ruled that child marriage constitutes a form of gender-based violence and that Sierra Leone failed to properly investigate the minor’s child marriage despite having knowledge of the violation from information provided to police and the court during the murder prosecution.
The Orders
The Court ordered Sierra Leone to undertake legal and institutional reforms to strengthen protection of girls from child marriage, investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible for the minor’s child marriage, award USD 10,000 compensation to the minor, and provide her with immediate psychological counseling and rehabilitation support.
Reactions
AbdulMalik Bello, IHRDA Legal Representative, stated
“This decision is a victory not only for the minor but for every girl at risk of child marriage. The Court has reaffirmed that States cannot remain passive. We hope the judgment will inspire meaningful reforms across West Africa.”
Willetta Hughes, AdvocAid Legal Manager, noted
“This judgment sends a clear message that protecting girls requires more than strong laws β it requires action. We hope it marks a turning point in ensuring that girls affected by child marriage receive the protection, support and justice they deserve.”
Significance
The decision contributes significantly to jurisprudence outlawing child marriage. Child marriage remains rampant in West Africa, driven by cultural and religious influences, weak protection systems, socio-economic factors, and poor enforcement of laws.
IHRDA and AdvocAid will continue pursuing justice for the child and others in her situation through seeking full compliance with the ECOWAS Court’s decision.
