Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (Oaflad), has stated she will not openly condemn female genital mutilation (FGM) unless presented with "reliable data" demonstrating its harm. This stance has drawn significant criticism from health professionals, survivors, human rights activists, and politicians.

A group of over 20 signatories, including former Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs Amy Smythe and UN expert Isha Dyfan, penned an open letter to Oaflad on June 10, urging clarification on Maada Bio's public statements. The letter expresses concern that any perception of support for FGM, "whether direct or indirect, risks undermining years of advocacy and creating misalignment with national, regional and international commitments."

Maada Bio, a former film producer and actor, leads a campaign in Sierra Leone called "Hands off our girls," which advocates for women's rights and against child marriage. Despite this initiative, she has consistently refrained from condemning FGM since her husband, President Julius Maada Bio, was elected in 2018.

Female genital mutilation, also known as cutting, involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia and can lead to severe long-term health consequences, including infertility. The practice remains prevalent in many parts of the world, including Sierra Leone, where it is often deeply embedded in cultural traditions.

Critics argue that Maada Bio's demand for specific data overlooks the extensive existing evidence and consensus among global health organizations regarding the detrimental effects of FGM. Organizations like the World Health Organization have long documented the severe health risks associated with the practice, ranging from immediate complications like bleeding and infection to long-term issues such as chronic pain, psychological distress, and reproductive health problems.

The First Lady's comments come at a time when international bodies and human rights organizations are intensifying efforts to eradicate FGM. Her position, particularly in her role as president of Oaflad, is seen by many as a significant setback for these global efforts and potentially emboldening those who continue to practice FGM.

This controversy also coincides with news that Southwark council in London has repossessed a council flat that Maada Bio had been renting for her British citizen children. Maada Bio, who met her husband in the UK after fleeing child marriage as a teenager, has faced scrutiny over this arrangement.

While Maada Bio denies supporting FGM, her insistence on "reliable data" before condemnation leaves many questioning her commitment to protecting girls and women from a practice widely recognized as a violation of human rights and a public health concern.