Six African countries that have made significant progress in the fight against FGM

Mildred Europa Taylor January 24, 2018

Senegal

The Demographic and Health Survey (EDS-MICS) 2014 has stated that the prevalence of circumcision is 25% among women aged 15-49 years. There is, however, a disparity in the southern regions – South East (69%) and the North (30%) West (17%) and Central (6%).

Senegal passed its first law making FGM illegal in 1999. The law also modified the country’s Penal Code to make the practice a criminal act, punishable by a sentence of up to five years in prison. But there were still reported cases of the act being practised behind the scenes. So, in 2005, Senegal went a step further and ratified the Maputo Protocol, which advocates for women’s rights and an end to the practice of FGM.

Senegal is now hoping to arrive at a total abandonment of the practice through a national action plan.

Last Edited by:Ismail Akwei Updated: June 19, 2018

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