Sylvia Blyden Accuses SLPP of Changing Position on FGM Debate

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.