For information on the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) among the Malinke tribe, please consult GIN37564.FE of 20 July 2001.

According to a U.S. Department of State report on FGM in Guinea, various forms of FGM are practised in Guinea by all ethnic groups, including the Malinke, and in all regions of the country (1 June 2001). The report stated that, due to a growing opposition to the practice, some urban educated families are choosing a more symbolic incision on the genitals rather than complete excision (ibid.).

A representative of the Cellule de coordination sur les pratiques traditionnelles affectant la santé des femmes et des enfants (CPTAFE), a Guinean NGO working for the elimination of FGM, maintained in a telephone interview that FGM is practised widely in Guinea, by all ethnic groups, including the Malinke, and this despite government efforts to prohibit the procedure (31 July 2002). The representative further stated that the Malinke generally perform excision of the clitoris and all or part of the labia on girls before puberty, usually at age seven (ibid.). The representative believes it is possible that, although many urban families are now opting for the symbolic incision, a woman might be forced to undergo a full excision if family conditions changed (a different guardian since childhood) or if the future husband's family required it (ibid.).

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

Cellule de coordination sur les pratiques traditionnelles affectant la santé des femmes et des enfants (CPTAFE). 31 July 2002. Telephone interview with a representative.

U.S. Department of State. 1 June 2001. Guinea: Report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Cutting (FGC). http://www.state.gov/g/wi/rls/rep/crfgm/10101.htm [Accessed 30 July 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential. 1990-2001

The FREDA Center for Research on Violence against Women and Children

IRB Databases

Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent. 1999-2002

NEXIS

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Ethnologue

FGM

FIDH

Global IDP

Guinée

Human Rights Watch

Institut Panos - Afrique de l'Ouest

Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)

International for Global Communications (IGC) - Women's Net

International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW)

The Living Africa: the People-Ethnic Group

Le Monde diplomatique

ReliefWeb

University of Minnesota - Human Rights Library

World News Connection (WNC)