Hands Off Our Girls

Community advocacy

Hands Off Our Girls began with a march in Freetown in December 2018 that brought together First Ladies from across Africa. The campaign works with paramount chiefs, religious leaders and communities to raise awareness and discuss the risks girls face.

In November 2019, the campaign’s national outreach tour reached Kailahun District, where the First Lady spoke about early marriage, teenage pregnancy and the importance of formal education. At City Field in Kenema in January 2025, she spoke with pupils about the roles girls and boys can play in supporting and protecting one another.

Advocacy and legal reform

1. 2019

   President Julius Maada Bio declared sexual violence a national emergency in February. Parliament amended the Sexual Offences Act later that year.

   UNFPA’s account of the reforms↗
2. 2024

   Sierra Leone passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. The parliamentary record acknowledges the First Lady’s support for the bill. UNICEF identifies Hands Off Our Girls as part of broader advocacy for changes in law and policy.

   Parliamentary proceedings↗UNICEF programme account↗

Child protection at the United Nations

In September 2019, the First Lady brought Hands Off Our Girls to a meeting of African First Ladies on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. They called for international support to end child marriage and sexual violence against women and girls.

In 2022, the First Lady introduced the resolution establishing a UN world day focused on preventing child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence and supporting healing. The day is observed on 18 November.

In September 2026, she introduced Sierra Leone’s resolution for the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The General Assembly adopted the resolution, with 27 November designated as the annual observance.