FGM-based asylum claims require expert analysis of prevalence rates by country, ethnic group, and region. Guinea (approximately 95%), Mali (89%), Somalia (98%), Sierra Leone (83%), and Gambia (75%) have among the highest documented prevalence globally.
Expert reports address Type III infibulation, risk to daughters, state protection inadequacy, honour-based violence, forced marriage, and girl child persecution. Claims can succeed even where FGM has already occurred - if ongoing risk, daughters at risk, or medical complications exist.
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| Country | Approx. prevalence (women 15–49) | Expert evidence focus |
|---|---|---|
| Somalia | ~98% | Type III; daughters at risk; IDP contexts |
| Guinea | ~95% | Near-universal; internal relocation rarely viable |
| Mali | ~89% | Ethnic/regional variation |
| Sierra Leone | ~83% | Secret society contexts |
| Gambia | ~75% | Tourism and diaspora links to UK claims |
| Nigeria | Varies by state (Edo, Imo, Ekiti high) | State-specific analysis required |
- Country and ethnic prevalence analysis
- Type III infibulation and re-infibulation risk
- Daughters at risk assessment
- State protection inadequacy
- Honour-based violence and forced marriage
Frequently asked questions
Which African countries have the highest FGM prevalence?
Guinea (approximately 95%), Mali (approximately 89%), Somalia (approximately 98%), Sierra Leone (approximately 83%), and Gambia (approximately 75%) have the highest documented prevalence. Expert witnesses provide country-specific analysis of prevalence rates, ethnic/regional variation, state protection measures, and the credibility of protective factors claimed.
Can a woman claim asylum from Africa on FGM grounds even if she has already undergone FGM?
Yes - FGM-based claims can still succeed if: the claimant faces ongoing risk of Type III procedures or re-infibulation; she has daughters at risk; or she has suffered FGM-related medical complications requiring treatment unavailable on return. Expert witnesses address ongoing and prospective risk, not merely historical harm.