Burkina Faso

FGM is practised across all regions, ethnic groups and religions in Burkina Faso.  There are distinct regional variations; FGM prevalence ranges from 54.8% in the Centre-West to 89.5% in the Centre-East.  Two-thirds of the population of Burkina Faso live in rural areas, and nearly 10% more women aged 15–49 have had FGM in rural areas (78.4%) than in urban areas (68.7%).  Prevalence in the capital, Ouagadougou, is 64.8%.

The regional pattern of FGM prevalence broadly corresponds with the distribution of ethnic groups:  the highest-practising groups include the Sénoufo (87.2%) and Lobi (83.2%) in the south-west, the Fulani (83.9%) towards the north-east, the Mossi (78.4%) across the central band and the Bissa (83.1%) mainly in Centre-East.  The lowest prevalence is recorded among the Gourounsi, who live largely in Centre-West (60.3%) and the Touareg/Bella in the far north-east (22.2%).

FGM is practised by all religions:  among Burkinabé women aged 15–49, 81.4% of Muslims, 75.5% of traditionalists/animists, 66.1% of Catholics and 60% of Protestants have been cut.

The prevalence of FGM in women (aged 15–49) is 75.8%.  This is a decrease from 76.6% in 2003.  Due to the large age-range of women included, however, the overall prevalence alone may not fully reflect the progress that has been made in recent years.  Breaking down the most recent data by age group shows that the prevalence for women aged 45–49 is 89.3%, while for the youngest age group this has fallen to 57.7%. Despite the fact that a small proportion of women may be cut after the age of 15, the data demonstrates a clear trend towards lower prevalences among younger women.