Aruna Turay, AYV News, June 8, 2026
Former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has publicly defended Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, stating that the First Lady should not be blamed for publicising the names of women involved in a recent anti-FGM petition.
In a statement, Dr. Blyden argued that the names of the campaigners were already in the public domain through international media platforms, including The Times, and had been widely circulated before the First Lady responded to the issue.
According to Dr. Blyden, numerous media outlets, including her own publication, received the petition and list of signatories, making the information publicly accessible prior to the First Lady’s comments.
She, however, disagreed with claims that all the women named in the petition were members of the opposition APC, noting that while some may belong to the party, others do not.
Dr. Blyden also addressed the controversy surrounding the Global Power Women Forum, from which the First Lady recently withdrew. She questioned reports suggesting that institutions associated with the event were distancing themselves from its organisation and argued that academic discussions on anti-FGM advocacy have become increasingly nuanced.
Referencing a 2025 academic paper published in the British Medical Journal, Dr. Blyden said several international scholars had criticised certain approaches used by anti-FGM campaign groups, arguing that some advocacy methods may be counterproductive.
Drawing from her experience as Minister responsible for gender and social welfare issues, Dr. Blyden said she had previously faced criticism from some anti-FGM activists over her own approach to addressing unlawful female circumcision in Sierra Leone.
She maintained that effective strategies should focus on practical solutions and community engagement rather than confrontational tactics.
