Côte d'Ivoire: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), including targeted social and ethnic groups; the age at which FGM is performed; the "practitioners"; and the existence of legislation related to the practice
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CIV30615.FE |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Côte d'Ivoire: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), including targeted social and ethnic groups; the age at which FGM is performed; the "practitioners"; and the existence of legislation related to the practice, 1 December 1998, CIV30615.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abb488.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Over three years ago, the Ivorian government set up a National Committee for the Prevention of Harmful Traditional Practices, including excision and other forms of genital mutilation (IPS 13 Oct. 1998; ibid. 27 Mar. 1998; La Nouvelle Lettre de la FIDH Oct. 1998, 15). Headed by a woman who used to perform circumcision on young girls (ibid., 16), it is composed of former "practitioners", gynecologists, obstetricians, representatives of various ministries (health, education, family) and political parties, members of the Ivorian Association for the Defence of Women's Rights and a member of the clergy (ibid.).
Contacted by phone at Abidjan on 1 December 1998, the Vice-Chair of the National Committee for the Prevention of Harmful Traditional Practices provided the following information.
In an effort to eradicate traditional practices that are harmful to women's health and dignity, including genital mutilation, the Committee is conducting an education and information campaign and offers seminars to various organizations, such as associations, communities or schools, on the dangers these practices pose to women's health and dignity. The members of the Ivorian National Assembly are themselves aware of the damage caused by these practices and a bill in this regard has been tabled, but not yet passed. It is highly possible that it soon will be.
There are, however, two major obstacles to the eradication of FGM. First of all, the practice is an initiation ceremony. "Practitioners" are well respected and considered important members of their communities. The problem is to convince them to abandon this trade without their losing the social status it entails. Secondly, the practice is often a source of monetary or non-monetary (gifts) income for "practitioners". To prompt them to abandon FGM, alternative means of earning a living would have to be found.
Genital mutilation is more widespread in western Côte d'Ivoire, but it is also practised in the northern and eastern regions and in urban areas with a high concentration of people from those regions. Especially involved are members of ethnic groups such as the Yokuba, Gere, We, Guru, Djula and Malenké.
According to other sources of information, FGM is usually practised by elderly women and is their sole source of income (La Nouvelle Lettre de la FIDH Oct. 1998, 15; IPS 13 Oct. 1998; ibid. 27 Mar. 1998). The major challenge is to ensure their reorientation (ibid.). It is also indicated that there is a spiritual and mystical side to FGM ceremonies deeply rooted in the beliefs of community members who practise it (IPS 27 Mar. 1998; Reuters 13 Dec. 1996; La Nouvelle Lettre de la FIDH Oct. 1998, 15).
According to the news agency PANA, young girls are usually circumcised before their first menstruation and marriage (8 Oct. 1998). An article published in Reuters portrays the case of a young girl belonging to the Yokuba ethnic group who was circumcised at the age of 12 (13 Dec. 1996). To provide an idea of the extent of this phenomenon in Côte d'Ivoire, the Minister of Women's Affairs and Family Welfare estimates there are 4 million Ivorian women and young girls who have already been circumcised (Reuters 13 Dec. 1996). According to official statistics, this figure represents 43 percent of women (IPS 27 Mar. 1998). The same source indicated that doctors also estimate that about 25 percent of the infertility in women is caused by FGM.
To corroborate the above observations of the Vice-Chair of the National Committee for the Prevention of Harmful Traditional Practices, Côte d'Ivoire is preparing to adopt a law prohibiting these practices (La Nouvelle Lettre de la FIDH Oct. 1998, 15).
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.
References
Inter Press Service (IPS). 2 November 1998. Honore Tchalim Yaovi Blao. "Women Applaud Ban on Genital Mutilation ". (NEXIS)
_____. 13 October 1998. Melvis Dzisah. "FGM Practitioners Start to Abandon the Trade." (NEXIS)
_____. 27 March 1998. Melvis Dzisah. "Ivorian MPs Split on How to Tackle FGM." (NEXIS)
National Committee for the Prevention of Harmful Traditional Practices, Abidjan. 1 December 1998. Telephone conversation with Vice-Chair.
Panafrican News Agency (PANA) [Dakar]. 8 October 1998. Melvis Dzisah. "West Africa; Rooting Out Female Genital Mutilation." (Africa News/NEXIS)
La Nouvelle Lettre de la FIDH [Paris]. "Côte d'Ivoire: les exciseuses repenties de Bangola."
Reuters. 13 December 1996. Melvis Dzisah. "Ivory Coast Tackles Female Circumcision." (NEXIS)
