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

Fatima Maada Bio has denied supporting female genital mutilation but said she will not openly condemn it until she sees "reliable data" showing the practice is harmful. A group of health professionals, survivors, human rights activists and politicians wrote to the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development on 10 June asking for clarification; the letter, signed by more than 20 people including Amy Smythe and Isha Dyfan, warned that perceptions of support risk undermining years of advocacy and creating misalignment with national, regional and international commitments.

Maada Bio, 45, a former film producer and actor who met her husband in the UK where she had fled as a teenager to escape a child marriage, leads a campaign called "Hands off our girls" and is an advocate against child marriage. Since her husband was elected in 2018 she has refused to condemn FGM.

Sierra Leone

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