By patricia.ngevao@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – A recent encounter left an indelible impression on me. On my way to work, I stopped at a small shop to buy some milk when I heard a soft voice behind me: “Aunty, buy some soap.” I turned around to find a little girl, no older than seven or eight, balancing a bowl of soap on her head. Her request was repeated, and though soap wasn’t on my shopping list that day, I couldn’t walk away. Something about the urgency in her voice made me pause and listen.
She introduced herself as Mariatu, a young girl from Waterloo, a busy peri-urban area outside Freetown. With the simplicity of a child, she explained her daily routine: she and her older sister leave their home in Waterloo each morning, travel into the city, and split up when they reach Dove Cut Market. While her sister sells soap in Congo Town, Mariatu spends the day calling out to potential buyers in the crowded streets of Freetown. She does not return home until evening.
At her age, Mariatu should be in school, not on the streets, exposed to dangers like traffic accidents, harassment, or exploitation. But instead of enjoying the carefree days of childhood, she spends her time selling soap to earn a few leones for her aunt. Mariatu’s story is one of many in Sierra Leone, where child labour remains a persistent and troubling issue.
Even during school holidays, many children like Mariatu are forced into labour instead of attending holiday lessons or preparing for the upcoming academic term. In a country where the future of children should be prioritized, the harsh realities of child labour persist. Mariatu’s situation is emblematic of a broader societal crisis: a crisis that robs children of their childhoods, their education, and their future.
Child labour in Sierra Leone is widespread. According to recent research by the Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO), approximately 36.2% of children aged 5–17 in the Eastern region are involved in child labour, with Kono District being the worst affected at 52.3%. Many children are also victims of child trafficking, which often masquerades as informal fostering arrangements known locally as “menpikin.” These children are trafficked with promises of education or work, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative labor, whether in domestic work, mining, fishing, or construction.
Mariatu’s story is just a glimpse into this pervasive issue. Whether selling soap on the streets of Freetown or hawking water in traffic, children like Mariatu are forced to sacrifice their childhoods to help support their families. The cycle of poverty keeps them away from classrooms and contributes to deepening inequality, limiting their potential to break free from the very system that exploits them.
UNICEF reports that over 40% of children in Sierra Leone are engaged in child labour. Economic hardship, limited access to quality education, cultural norms, and entrenched poverty are among the driving factors that lead many families to send their children to work rather than school. The Free Quality Education (FQE) program, launched by the government in 2018, aimed to tackle these issues by increasing school enrollment. While the program has brought some progress, challenges remain. Many families still struggle to cover the additional costs of schooling—such as uniforms, books, and transportation—which leaves many children on the streets instead of in the classroom.
In response, the government of Sierra Leone, under President Julius Maada Bio, has acknowledged these challenges and pledged to address them through systemic reforms. President Bio has consistently emphasized that “education is a human right.” His Free Quality Education initiative has made strides in improving access to education, but the underlying issues of poverty and insufficient resources continue to hinder its full impact.
In addition to the FQE program, President Bio’s administration has taken other significant steps to protect children, such as the recent signing of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act in 2024. The law aims to abolish harmful practices like child marriage, which often force girls out of school and into early labour. The president has also supported the #WeAreEqual campaign, which seeks to create equal opportunities for all children, particularly girls, to remain in school and realize their potential.
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio has been a vocal advocate for children’s rights, particularly through her “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign, which works to protect vulnerable young girls from exploitation, abuse, and early marriage. As a champion of the United Nations’ World Day for Ending Child Exploitation, the First Lady has spearheaded local and global initiatives to combat child abuse and trafficking.
Madam Melrose Karminty, the Minister of Social Welfare, has also reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting children. Through partnerships with local and international organizations, her ministry is working to improve access to education and combat child labour. “We are determined to ensure that no child is left behind,” she said, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where every child can thrive.
While there has been progress, gaps in implementation remain. On this World Children’s Day, we must renew our commitment to addressing the realities faced by children like Mariatu—children whose potential is stifled by poverty, exploitation, and lack of access to education. The fight against child labour is not just a government issue; it’s a collective responsibility.
We must work together to create sustainable solutions: strengthening educational policies, addressing the hidden costs of schooling, expanding access to education in rural areas, and shifting societal mindsets through awareness campaigns. At the same time, we must ensure that families have access to income-generating opportunities so they are not forced to send their children into labour.
It is critical to enforce existing child labour laws and provide targeted support for at-risk children. Only through a collaborative, multi-faceted approach can we break the cycle of child labour and give every child in Sierra Leone the chance to learn, grow, and achieve their full potential.
As we commemorate World Children’s Day 2024, let us remember that every child deserves a future free from exploitation. Together, we can make that future a reality. PSN/21/11/2024
