First Lady Challenges Anti-FGM Campaigners Over Accountability

The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has called for accountability and transparency among anti-FGM campaigners, accusing some activists of using her name for publicity while failing to demonstrate meaningful impact in Sierra Leone.

In a statement shared on social media, the First Lady said campaigners were free to continue their advocacy against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), but cautioned against using her name to advance their causes.

“My message to these anti-FGM campaigners is simple: continue your campaign if you wish, but do not use my name to gain relevance or publicity,” she stated.

She questioned how some advocacy groups utilize funds received from international donors and sponsors, arguing that there is limited evidence of significant investment in victims or affected communities in Sierra Leone.

The First Lady also challenged campaigners to demonstrate their commitment on the ground, asking when many of them last visited Sierra Leone to conduct what she described as genuine anti-FGM activities.

“It is easy to issue statements from afar, but real commitment requires engagement with the people and communities you claim to serve,” she said.

Dr. Bio stated that organisations advocating on behalf of vulnerable people should be prepared to show how resources are used and the impact of their interventions.

She also referenced excerpts from an academic article titled Harms of the Current Global Anti-FGM Campaign, which critiques certain international advocacy approaches and calls for greater balance in public discourse on the issue.

“The people of Sierra Leone deserve honesty, integrity, and genuine advocacy—not campaigns driven by personal agendas,” she added.

Her comments come amid ongoing public debate on FGM, women’s rights, traditional practices, and advocacy efforts in Sierra Leone.