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 United States Department of State report entitled Nigeria: Report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Cutting (FGC) 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,