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Political commentator and media personality Dr Sylvia Blyden has accused the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) of reversing its earlier position on public discussions surrounding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the Bondo Society.
In a statement reflecting on her tenure as Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs under the former APC government, Dr Blyden said she made what she described as a historic television address in 2016 in which she publicly announced efforts to work with Soweis to prevent girls under the age of 18 from being initiated into the Bondo Society.
According to her, the goal was to ensure that girls reached an age where they could make a free and informed decision on whether to undergo circumcision.
Dr Blyden claimed that the SLPP, then in opposition, strongly criticised her position and described her television address as disrespectful to women involved in the Bondo Society. She further alleged that one of the SLPP activists who publicly opposed her stance is now serving in the Ministry of Information.
She said her critics argued at the time that discussions about Bondo and FGM should not be conducted publicly, particularly by men on social media and other public platforms.
Dr Blyden stated that the situation has now changed, noting that the current SLPP government has appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay to lead nationwide consultations on FGM.
She argued that this development demonstrates that the government is now encouraging the same national conversation it had previously criticised.
The former minister maintained that her approach was based on respectful engagement with traditional stakeholders and was intended to protect girls while avoiding confrontation with Bondo women.
She also asserted that Sierra Leone received international recognition during her tenure, including commendation from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child for progress made in addressing female circumcision through dialogue and community engagement.
Dr Blyden said the recognition reflected what she described as careful and determined leadership, and she defended her actions as an example of speaking on a sensitive national issue with wisdom, respect and practical results.
Her remarks have added a new political dimension to the ongoing national discussions on FGM and the future of related legislation and policy in Sierra Leone.
