Sierra Leone's first lady refuses to condemn FGM without 'reliable data'

Sierra Leone's first lady Fatima Maada Bio has denied supporting female genital mutilation (FGM) but refuses to openly condemn it. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.

In an exclusive response to the Guardian, Fatima Maada Bio, wife of President Julius Maada Bio, said she would not openly condemn FGM until she saw 'reliable data' that the practice was harmful. She also said her comments were taken out of context and 'intended to encourage dialogue and reassure women who felt marginalized'.

A group of health professionals, survivors, human rights activists, and politicians has written to the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (Oaflad). The letter, sent on 10 June, has over 20 signatories, including Amy Smythe, former minister of gender and children's affairs, and Isha Dyfan, a human rights lawyer. They stated that 'perceptions of support for FGM, whether direct or indirect, risk undermining years of advocacy'.

Maada Bio, 45, a former film producer and actress, met her husband in the UK, where she fled as a teenager to escape child marriage. She also faced controversy over her rental of a council flat in Southwark, London, which was repossessed.

FGM, the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, can cause serious health consequences, including infertility. It is considered a grave human rights violation, and in 2012 the UN General Assembly passed a resolution for a global ban.

Sierra Leone has one of the highest FGM rates globally. A national survey found the proportion of cut women decreased from 90% in 2013 to 83% in 2019; 71% were cut before age 15.

There is no law criminalizing FGM in Sierra Leone. It is often performed as part of a ritual marking a girl's entry into womanhood by women (soweis) of the Bondo and Sande societies. Every year, women and children suffer health complications, and some die.

Ranya Kargbo, a senior UN professional and FGM survivor who signed the letter, called Maada Bio's words to soweis—'don't be afraid of anything, I stand with you'—a 'slap in the face'. Maada Bio said her comments were taken out of context.

Last week, Maada Bio posted an article on her Facebook page (over 600,000 followers) titled 'Harms of the current global anti-FGM campaign'. She also called several prominent anti-FGM campaigners, including Nimco Ali and Anita Koroma, 'scammers'. Later, she said her comments were not directed at survivors or those genuinely working to improve women's lives.

Last year, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) court described FGM as 'one of the worst forms of violence against women' and ordered Sierra Leone to enact a law banning FGM.