Nigeria: Female genital mutilation (FGM) practices among the Yoruba ethnic group and the consequences of refusal for parents

Reference to the consequences faced by parents who refuse to have their daughters undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The following information regarding Yoruba FGM practices will be of interest. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), although "90% of the Yoruba ethnic group who live in south-west Nigeria practise female genital mutilation ... the Ijebus, a major group within the Yorubas have never done so" (17-19 July 1995).

A states that of the four types of FGM practised, the Yoruba carry out mainly Type II and Type I (US 1 June 2001). The report provides the following definitions:

Type I:
Type I is the excision (removal) of the clitoral hood with or without removal of all or part of the clitoris.

Type II:
Type II is the excision (removal) of the clitoris together with part or all of the labia minora (the inner vaginal lips).

Type III:
Type III is the excision (removal) of part or all of the external genitalia (clitoris, labia minora and labia majora) and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving a very small opening, about the size of a matchstick, to allow for the flow of urine and menstrual blood. The girl or woman's legs are generally bound together from the hip to the ankle so she remains immobile for approximately 40 days to allow for the formation of scar tissue.

Type IV:
Type IV includes the introduction of corrosive substances into the vagina. This form is practiced to a much lesser extent than the other forms in Nigeria (ibid.).

The report, the results of which are provided by a 1997 study conducted by the Inter-African Committee of Nigeria on Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC), show

... the following prevalence and type [of FGM practiced] in the following states in Nigeria. Abia (no study); Adamawa (60-70 percent, Type IV); Akwa Ibom (65-75 percent, Type II); Anambra (40-60 percent, Type II); Bauchi (50-60 percent, Type IV); Benue (90-100 percent, Type II); Borno (10-90 percent, Types I, III and IV); Cross River (no study); Delta (80-90 percent, Type II); Edo (30-40 percent, Type II); Enugu (no study); Imo (40-50 percent, Type II); Jigawa (60-70 percent, Type IV); Kaduna (50-70 percent, Type IV); Katsina (no study); Kano (no study); Kebbi (90-100 percent, Type IV); Kogi (one percent, Type IV); Kwara (60-70 percent, Types I and II); Lagos (20-30 percent, Type I); Niger (no study); Ogun (35-45 percent, Types I and II); Ondo (90-98 percent, Type II); Osun (80-90 percent, Type I); Oyo (60-70 percent, Type I); Plateau (30-90 percent, Types I and IV); Rivers (60-70 percent, Types I and II); Sokoto (no study); Taraba (no study); Yobe (0-1 percent, Type IV); Fct Abuja (no study) (1 June 2001).

For additional information on FGM in Nigeria please consult the attached document "Female Genital Mutilation: Conditions of Decline," which, according to its abstract,

... draws on a continuing research program among the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria to show not only that FGM has begun to decline but that this occurrence can be explained wholly by programs organized by the Ministry of Health and women's organizations. The focus of this paper is on the determinants of this change. These are shown to be: (1) a reduction in ceremonies associated with the practice, (2) its increasing medicalization, (3) indigenous secular campaigning based on the provision of information, and (4) a focus on individuals, especially women. There is little belief that the campaign is an assault on the culture, but rather a growing feeling, especially among those influenced by it, that it would be more appropriate once such a campaign has begun for it to be whole-hearted rather than lukewarm (PRPR 2000).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

United States (US). 1 June 2001. Department of State. "Nigeria: Report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Cutting (FGC)." [Accessed 12 Feb. 2003]

Population Research and Policy Review (PRPR) [Netherlands]. June 2000. Vol. 19, No. 3. John C. Caldwell, I.O. Orubuloye and Pat Caldwell. "Female Genital Mutilation: Conditions of Decline."

World Health Organization (WHO) [Geneva]. 17-19 July 1995. Gender and Women's Health Department. "Female Genital Mutilation Report of a WHO Technical Working Group." (WHO/FRH/WHD/96.10) [Accessed 12 Feb. 2003]

Attachment

Population Research and Policy Review (PRPR) [Netherlands]. June 2000. Vol. 19, No. 3. John C. Caldwell, I.O. Orubuloye and Pat Caldwell. "Female Genital Mutilation: Conditions of Decline."

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Unsuccessful attempts to contact BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights and other oral sources.

Internet sites, including:

Africa Action

Africa Online

Amnesty International (AI)

East African Standard

Female Genital Mutilation Network

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices

Save the Children - Canada

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

University of California

Women's Human Rights Net

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Women's International Network News (WIN)

World Health Organization (WHO)

World News Connection (WNC)

Search engine:

Google