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News Published: 12 May 2022

EUAA publishes report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM/C) in Ethiopia

Ethiopia

 

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published a Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Ethiopia (FGM/C). The report provides background information and maps FGM/C practices and trends at the national and regional levels in the country.

The report responds to EU+ information needs, following over 800 asylum applications lodged by Ethiopian nationals so far in 2022, as reported by EUAA

The report takes the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) as the starting point of its review and, together with more recent studies and research published between 2015 – 2022, describes that:

  • The practice of Female Genital Mutilation is widely spread in the country, affecting 25 million women and girls, despite being a criminal offence in Ethiopia;
  • The most common practice – ‘cut, flesh removed’ – is largely prevalent among women aged 15-49 of the Afar and Somali ethnic groups;
  • In families and communities most likely to engage in child marriages, FGM/C tends to be seen as "a necessary precursor to marriage".

On 4 February 2022, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy issued a Joint Statement condemning the practice of Female Genital Mutilation as ‘a crime and a violation of women's human rights’.

Download the EUAA’s report.

Background

Between January - March 2022, Ethiopian nationals have lodged 817 applications in EU+ countries, which is more than in the first quarter of any year since 2018. The number of first instance decisions issued to Ethiopians had dropped every year from 2018 until 2020 but rose slightly in 2021. During the first quarter 2022, the EU+ recognition rate for Ethiopians was 44 %, higher than in the previous five years. Since 2016, Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs) have accounted for around 4 % of all Ethiopian applicants.

The EUAA publishes regular Country of Origin Information reports, which aim to provide accurate, reliable and up-to-date information on third countries in order to support EU+ asylum and migration authorities in reaching accurate and fair decisions in asylum procedures, as well as to support national policy making.

 


Any further information may be obtained from the European Union Agency for Asylum’s Press Office at the following email address: press@euaa.europa.eu