Nigeria: Correction to NGA35426.E of 3 November 2000 as to whether a Muslim man, of the Itsekiri ethnic group could force his wife to submit to female genital mutilation (FGM)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 21 November 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA38179.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Correction to NGA35426.E of 3 November 2000 as to whether a Muslim man, of the Itsekiri ethnic group could force his wife to submit to female genital mutilation (FGM), 21 November 2001, NGA38179.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be83c.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. |
This Response replaces NGA35426.E of 3 November 2000.
No information as to whether a Muslim man, of the Itsekiri ethnic group, could force his wife to submit to female genital mutilation (FGM) could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
For general information on FGM, please consult NGA38211.E of 21 November 2001 and NGA32137.E of 7 July 1999. In other information on FGM the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights reported:
The highest prevalence of female genital mutilation is said to be in the states of the south-west (Osun, Oyo and Ondo) and Edo. The states in the south-east have a comparatively lower prevalence of this phenomenon although they have a higher rate than that observed in the northern zones. The states in the southern zone also have significantly high rates. (Jan. 1999).
For information on the attitude of Islam toward the practice of FGM please consult NGA35156.E of 21 August 2000. Further to the information in that Response an article on FGM states that "religious significance (especially among Muslims)" is one of a range of justifications for FGM (Population Reports Oct. 1995). Similarly, Vanguard reported several justifications for FGM including: "religious reason: Some Muslim communities, however, practice FGM in the belief that it is demanded by the Islamic faith" (1 Aug. 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
Population Reports [Baltimore, MD]. October 1995. Karungari Kiragu. "Female Genital Mutilation: A Reproductive Health Concern." (NEXIS)
United Nations Economic and Social Council, Commission on Human Rights. 14 January 1999. (E/CN.4/1999/36). Situation of Human Rights in Nigeria: Report Submitted by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Soli Jehangir Sorabjee, Pursuant to Commission Resolution 1997/53.
Vanguard [Apapa]. 1 August 2000. Sola Ogundipe. "Common Questions About FGM."
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS-NEXIS
REFWORLD
World News Connection (WNC)
Unsuccessful attempts to contact three non-documentary sources
Internet sites including:
The Female Genital Mutilation Education and Networking Project
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge].
Nigeria News Network
Post Express [Lagos].
Rising Daughters Aware
United Nations, Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN).
Vanguard [Apapa].
Search engines including:
Dogpile
HotBot
