University Report: Maternal Mortality and Child Rights in Sierra Leone

This report addresses the critical issue of high maternal mortality rates in Sierra Leone, primarily attributed to early pregnancies. The author writes to the Secretary of the Law Reform Commission and the Minister of Interior Affairs, appealing for meetings to consider law reforms concerning child rights, specifically focusing on the violation of articles related to child protection. The report highlights the country's high total fertility rate and maternal mortality rate, proposing recommendations such as laws to reduce child marriage and compulsory education for parents and children about the impact of child marriage. The author emphasizes the need for stricter initiatives to protect girls and implement laws regarding the minimum age for marriage and childbirth, referencing UNICEF data and past reports. The report includes references to supporting literature and emphasizes the urgency of addressing this public health crisis through potential law reforms and policy changes.

Running head: GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
6 May 2019
Mr. Maynard M.B. Timo
Secretary law reform commission
3A Wellington Street Freetown Sierra Leone
By email: [e-mail]
Subject: An appeal for meeting to consider law reform in regard to the child rights.
Dear Mr. Timo,
I am writing this email to bring forth the issue of high maternal mortality in Sierra Leone (SL)
due to early pregnancy. The problem is certainly not managed by the Rights of the Child such as
Article 12, Article 19, Article 34 and Article 36. I request you to take the matter under direct
consideration as there is violation of these articles as SL is witnessing high increase in total
fertility rate and maternal mortal mortality rate.
The plight of the country is highly under danger that lack several basic human needs that has led
to the present condition of the region. I would like to propose few of the recommendations that
may help in brining the position of the children and women in a better position. Four of the 12
countries had laws which have consistently set the minimum age for marriage at 18 or older and
have shown good result (Maswikwa et al., 2015). Therefore, this recommendation involves:
 Laws to reducing child marriage
 Compulsory education for parents and children regarding the impact of child marriage

2GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
 Laws for the protection of children from their basic right.
I would like to request you to look into the matter. As it can be seen, there is too many
information on this particular issue and therefore, I would like to discuss it in person. Kindly let
me know the possible date when I can present you further details on it.
Thanking you

3GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
6 May 2019
Edward A. Soluku
Minister of Interior Affairs State Avenue
Freetown, Sierra Leone.
By Email: [e-mail]
Subject: An appeal for meeting to consider law reform in regard to the child rights.
Dear sir,
I am writing this email to highlight the growing fertility rates between the ages of 15-19 in Sierra
Leone. As reported by the United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) in 2008 that more than
70,000 girls die from pregnancy related complications every year (Kim et al, 2013). It is a high
time that stricter initiatives should be taken for protection of the girls of Sierra Leone.
The past report reflects that stricter laws have reduced the rate of child marriage. Therefore, laws
should be implemented that would prevent death due to pregnancy. The country should now
think of more laws on the minimum-age-marriage and on minimum-child-birth. Also, the
country should stress more when the laws are violated in order to make them more effective.
Since the problem is vast, there is more information than it can be include in the email. I would
like to request you kindly meet in person in order to discuss more on this issue. I am looking
forward to this meeting.
Thank you.

4GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
References:
Maswikwa, B., Richter, L., Kaufman, J., & Nandi, A. (2015). Minimum marriage age laws and
the prevalence of child marriage and adolescent birth: evidence from sub-Saharan
Africa. International perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 41(2), 58-68.
Kim, M., Longhofer, W., Boyle, E. H., & Nyseth Brehm, H. (2013). When Do Laws Matter?
National Minimum‐Age‐of‐Marriage Laws, Child Rights, and Adolescent Fertility,
1989–2007. Law & society review, 47(3), 589-619.