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Audience: CBSA Enforcement and Intelligence Operations Divisions Issued: FEB 2016
Enforcement and Intelligence Priority: Human Trafficking, Expiry: JUL 2016
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nital Mutilation Practitioners Entering Canada @-
TORT 3 1
Issue
1. Practitioners of Female Genital Mutilation (PFGM) are almost certainly entering Canada to
engage in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on both girls and women of primarily African and
South-East Asian descent. FGM was deemed illegal in Canada in 1997. (PA)
Analysis
2. According to the World Health Organization, FGM includes all procedures that involve partial
or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for
non-medical reasons. It is also referred to as female genital cutting or female circumcision,
There are four types of FGM: I: Clitoridectomy; If: Excision; II: Infibulation; IV: All other
harmful procedures. There are no health benefits to FGM and it is recognized internationally as
a human rights violation. Anti-FGM campaigns have led to it being illegal in most Western
countries and some countries in Africa and Asia.(U)
FGM is a centuries old cultural practice and is not limited to any religion. It happens primarily
in African and Asian countries, however with the increase in diaspora communities its practice
has extended to Western nations. Countries outside of Africa with cases of FGM include:
Yemen, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, India and the United Kingdom (U.K.) (all less than 25% of
female population). See Appendix A for map of African countries where FGM is practiced. (U)
INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY
4, The United States (U.S), the U-K. and Australia have documented cases of FGM and have
determined the number of women and girls who have had it or who are at risk of FGM to be in
the tens of thousands: 507 000 in the U-S., 197,000 in the U.K. and 83,000 in Australia,
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian health care providers,
itis almost certain that FGM is also happening in Canada, despite the legislation against the
practice in 1997 (Bill C-27). Canada has sizeable diaspora populations from Somalia, Ethiopia,
Eritrea, Sudan and Nigeria, all countries where a high percentage of the female population is
estimated to have experienced FGM. (PA)
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Identifying Practitioners Entering Canada
5. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, in countries without health-care coverage
PGMs are primarily traditional practitioners such as circumeisers, birth attendants, midwives and
generally older women, Conducting FGMs is usually the primary source of income for a PFGM.
The procedure is performed in the home, in a special hut reserved for womanhood activities, or in
4 public building which is converted to a FGM facility. In countries with health-care coverage
(Sudan and Kenya), health professionals (nurses, trained midwives or other trained health
‘workers) perform FGM in the home. Egypt is the only country where FGM is performed by @
doctor if performed by a medical professional and is still primarily at home. (PA)
6. In Canada, a PEGM is most likely to be called to the home of a woman to be re-infibulated post-
partum (re-sewn) or of a girl to perform the initial FGM. Women will also travel to the home
country to have post-partum infibulation performed. (PA)
7. The tools used to carry out FGM include razor blades, knives, scissors, scalpels, shards of glass,
scrapping tools, awls, special string or belt tied around the female's waist, string or material in
strips for tying the female’s legs together post-procedure and special herbs. Other items that may
be used during an FGM include alcohol, lemon juice, shea butter, coconut oil, ash and herbal
mixtures. These items may be present in the practitioner's baggage. See Appendices B and C. (PA)
Implications for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Canada
8.
PGMS enter Canada with the purpose of committing a crime (aggravated assault) but
‘may not have the awareness or belief that they are doing so. Those aiding the PEGM may also be
charged in accordance with the Criminal Code, Females who are at-risk for FGM do not present
with the other typical criteria for child abuse and the PFGM believe that they are promoting the
Jong-term well-being and social acceptability of the child. Reception at airports is likely to include
the future “patient” or their family members. (PA)
9. According to the RCMP, although FGM legislation has been in place in Canada since 1997, there
have not been any successful prosecutions of those who have engaged in FGM or aided PFGM.
‘The exact number of women and girls at risk of FGM is unknown in Canada and identification the
PFGM at the ports of entry is an important first step in identifying the scope of the problem. (PA)
Prepared by: J. S., Current Intelligence and Analysis Section
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Appendix A - FGM is concentrated from the Atlantic Coast to the Horn of Africa (countries and
the percentage of the population which is estimated to have experienced FGM)
Sierra
Guinea Leone
88
Liberia oJ
88 Burkina Togo Benin
te Faso
d'ivoire 76 Ghana
3B 7
Djibouti
3
Eritrea
89
1 Above 80%
m 51% - 80%
28% -50% . >
10% - 25% ty
Loss than 10%
FGM/C is not concentrated
inthese countries,
Source: UNICEF. “Female Genital Mutiation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of
change.” UNICEF, 2013.
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Appendix B - Photos of Tools used in FGM
Photo 3: an FGM toolbox including a ritual belttied Photo 4: knife and razor blade
around the female's waist during the procedure,
Photo 5: Tools from Tanzania
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Appendix C - Photos of Herbs used during FGM
Photo 6 - Maimal - East Africa (Kenya, Somalia) - a
traditional medicinal herb used on the cut genitalia as
itis believed to aid the infibutation
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