Article: Q&A-SIERRA LEONE: ATTITUDES TOWARD FEMALE CIRCUMCISION SHIFT.

By Michael J. Carter

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, Aug. 8, 2007 (IPS/GIN) -- Shirley Yeama Gbujama threatened to "sew up the mouths of those preaching against Bondo" more than 10 years ago when she was the country's minister of tourism and culture.

Gbujama, who is now the country's social welfare minister, made the comment in response to a campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). Secret "Bondo" societies initiate girls into womanhood, in part through FGM, a traditional practice commonly known as female circumcision, which can cause a range of harmful side effects.

IPS sat down with Gbujama to find out whether she has softened her stance on ...

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