Ethiopia: Information on female genital mutilation (FGM) among the Sheikach (ethnic Somalis) in Ethiopia including the ages at which females are circumcised or infibulated, whether there is a minimum and maximum age, and whether FGM can be performed against a mother's will
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ETH28416.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ethiopia: Information on female genital mutilation (FGM) among the Sheikach (ethnic Somalis) in Ethiopia including the ages at which females are circumcised or infibulated, whether there is a minimum and maximum age, and whether FGM can be performed against a mother's will, 1 December 1997, ETH28416.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acdb3c.html [accessed 2 June 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. |
The Hosken Report, a report on female genital mutilation (FGM) published by the Women's International Network News in 1993, states that FGM is a pervasive and very serious problem in Ethiopian society (144). The report further states that "almost all cultural groups in Ethiopia practice female circumcision" and that infibulation is done by ethnic groups such as the Essas in the Harrar region and Somalis in the eastern region (ibid. 146). The operation, states the report, is done by elderly women in the community during early childhood. Apparently, a family would be considered "queer" if they do not have their female children circumscised (ibid. 147). According to this report, Somalis practise infibulation "wherever they live" (ibid.). This information is corroborated by the Director of the Somali Immigrant Aid organization in Toronto, who in a 2 December interview with the Research Directorate, stated that Somalis are predominantly Moslem. He explained that circumcision is a requirement of the Moslem religion and also of the customs of Somalia. He further stated that although the government of Siad Barre made attempts to ban this practice in the 1980s, it is still widely practised by Somalis wherever they live (ibid.).
Information on whether FGM can be done against the wishes of a mother could not be found among the sources currently available to the Research Directorate. However, the Hosken report states that "the condition of women - whether or not they are mutilated according to local traditions - depends on the wishes of men" (ibid. 152). For additional information on FGM in Ethiopia, please consult the attached document.
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
Hosken, Fran P. 1993. 4th ed. The Hosken Report: Genital and Sexual Mutilation of Females. Washington, DC: Women's International Network News.
Somali Immigrant Aid, Toronto. 2 December 1997. Telephone interview with executive director.
