Gender Minister Reveals Child Married Before 12 Allegedly Dumped Peer’s Child in Water Well
Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, has revealed that a child who was married before the age of 12 is currently incarcerated after allegedly dumping another child of a similar age into a water well.
Speaking on the issue of children and women in detention, Minister Mahoi said the child had reportedly entered into marriage at a very young age and, according to information available to her, committed the alleged act out of frustration.
“We have a child in prison who has been married below 12 years of age, and in the marriage, she dumped her mate’s child in a water well out of frustration,” Dr. Mahoi said.
The Minister stressed the need for greater advocacy and support for women and children in detention, noting that some people are incarcerated in circumstances that warrant closer examination.
“There are people in incarceration who do not have any business being there. We should not single out women and children who are undergoing incarceration,” she said.
Dr. Mahoi also provided an update on the health condition of Zainab Sheriff, saying she is unwell but is not in a critical condition.
According to the Minister, Sheriff had pleaded for assistance to undergo medical treatment in Türkiye. She also said Sheriff had expressed remorse and pleaded for forgiveness over the utterances that led to her imprisonment.
The Minister’s comments have renewed calls for greater attention to the circumstances surrounding the detention, welfare and rehabilitation of women and children in Sierra Leone’s correctional facilities.
