Sierra Leone First Lady Refuses to Condemn Female Genital Mutilation, Citing Lack of 'Reliable Data' on Harm

Sierra Leone's first lady, Fatima Maada Bio, has denied supporting female genital mutilation (FGM) amid mounting criticism over remarks seen as condoning the practice.

In an exclusive response to The Guardian, Mrs. Bio, wife of President Julius Maada Bio, said she would not publicly condemn FGM until she sees 'reliable data' proving it is harmful.

In light of her statement, a group of health experts, survivors, human rights activists and politicians sent a letter to the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (Oaflad) expressing concern. The letter, sent on June 10, sought clarification of Mrs. Bio's public remarks; she is currently Oaflad's chair.

More than 20 signatories, including Amy Smythe, former Sierra Leone Minister of Gender and Children, and Isha Dyfan, a human rights lawyer and UN expert, wrote that 'perceptions of support for FGM, whether direct or indirect, risk undermining years of advocacy… and create inconsistency with national, regional and international commitments.'

Mrs. Bio, 45, a former film producer and actress, has previously sparked controversy by continuing to rent a council flat in Southwark, London, for her children, who are British nationals. Southwark Council confirmed this week it had reclaimed the property.

An activist for women's rights and against child marriage, Mrs. Bio leads the 'Hands off our girls' campaign in Sierra Leone. However, since her husband took office in 2018, she has refused to condemn FGM.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, can cause severe long-term health consequences including infertility, and is considered a serious human rights violation. In 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution for a global ban.

Sierra Leone has one of the highest FGM rates worldwide. A national survey shows the prevalence among women fell from 90% in 2013 to 83% in 2019; 71% of those were cut before age 15.

No law in Sierra Leone criminalizes FGM. It is typically performed as part of rites of passage marking girlhood and is carried out by women, called sowei, from the influential, secret Bondo and Sande societies. Every year, women and girls suffer health complications or die from these rituals.

Ranya Kargbo, a senior UN expert and FGM survivor who signed the letter, said she was alarmed by Mrs. Bio's recent appearance where she was filmed expressing support for FGM practitioners. 'When you're in a leadership position, your words carry weight,' Ms. Kargbo said. 'When [Bio] tells the sowei [cutters] not to be afraid of anything and that she stands by them, that is powerful language from the highest position in Sierra Leone.'

Mrs. Bio said her statements had been misinterpreted and were 'intended to encourage dialogue and reassure women who feel marginalized.' In a statement to The Guardian, she added: 'I do not support any form of cutting that is forced on an individual.'

She said she does 'not use my voice to advocate for or against cutting' and as a woman who has undergone FGM, she wants to see reliable data demonstrating the extent of harm caused by FGM in Sierra Leone.

Last week, Mrs. Bio posted on her Facebook page, which has over 600,000 followers, a September 2025 article titled 'The harm of the current global anti-FGM campaign.' The article, published in the British Medical Journal's Journal of Medical Ethics, argues that 'a pervasive “standard narrative” has obscured the diversity of practices, meanings and experiences of those affected' by cutting.

She named on Facebook several prominent anti-FGM activists, including Nimco Ali, a UK government adviser on ending violence against women and girls, and Anita Koroma, founder of the Sierra Leone Girl Network, writing that 'they have done nothing for our country.' In another post, she called them 'fraudsters.'

Mrs. Bio told The Guardian her comments were not 'targeted at survivors of cutting or those genuinely working to improve the lives of women and girls.' She said: 'My criticism is aimed at individuals who I believe have misrepresented my views and seek to create a narrative that does not reflect my actual stance.'

Last year, a ruling by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court described FGM as 'one of the worst forms of violence against women' and 'meeting the threshold of torture.' The court ordered Sierra Leone to 'enact and enforce laws criminalizing FGM and take appropriate measures to prevent its occurrence and protect victims.'

The ruling came weeks after President Bio became chairman of ECOWAS. He has never publicly acknowledged the ruling, and in October last year signed the Child Rights Act 2025 into law, which does not include any provision addressing FGM.