Article 18 The right of the existence of a family, the aged and disabled and to ensure the protection from all forms of discrimination against women. Legal framework The Constitution of Sierra Leone in section 13(h) recognises the existence of a family. In addition, section 8 (3) (f) provides for the protection, care and welfare of the aged, young and disabled, and for the protection against discrimination on account of sex in terms of employment. General Practise The Child Rights Act of 2007 makes provision for the protection of the family as a whole, and the child in particular. The Children and Young Persons Act, provides for the security of children and young persons against offences such as rape, indecent assault, and forced labour. Further, the National Health Maternity Protection Strategic Plan protects the health of pregnant women and children aged five and under. In addition, the Free Medical Heath Programme caters for maternity protection. As such, women cannot be discriminated against due to maternity reasons. In the process of domesticating the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), three Bills were enacted. These were The Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act16, the Devolution of Estates Act and the Domestic Violence Act commonly called the three Gender Acts. The Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act protect persons entering into customary marriage from forced marriages in line with traditional customs and practices. In general, marriage under whatever law, be it under the Christian Marriage Act, the Muslim Law or Civil Law, is entered into by two adults ( aged 18 years and over). In addition, Sierra Leone has taken certain measures to protect women in many areas including ensuring that women are sent on paid leave or leave with social security benefits and guarantees against dismissal for working mothers, irrespective of their marital status during a reasonable period before and after childbirth. In addition, there is an affirmative action gender policy which protects and promotes the rights of women. In addition, 50/50 a women’s activist group in Sierra Leone participated in the development of the HIV strategy and there is currently a national campaign involving many women’s groups across the country working on the enactment of a bill that would guarantee a minimum of30% quota representation of women at decision making levels in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations. Also, the Prevention and Control of HIV and AIDS Act is currently under review to protect women infected with the virus in particular against all forms of discrimination. However, despite the tremendous strides taken including the signing and ratification of CEDAW, the provisions of CEDAW have not been fully domesticated and as such, vital provisions which protect women are still not in use in Sierra Leone. 16 Act No. 1 of 2009 supersedes The Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act No. 24 of 2007 22