Guinea

The prevalence of FGM/C among women aged 15–49 in all administrative regions of Guinea remains high.  The highest prevalence is in Kindia (98.4%) and Labé (98.2%).  N’Zérékoré, which is located in the south-east and contains the second-largest city in the country, has the lowest prevalence at 84%.  There is, however, almost no difference between the prevalence of FGM among women aged 15–49 who live in rural areas (94.3%) and those who live in urban areas (94.8%).

FGM is practised by people from all major religious and ethnic groups in Guinea.  The ethnic groups with the highest prevalence of FGM/C among women aged 15–49 are the Soussou (97.9%) and Peulh (97.3%).  The ethnic groups with the lowest recorded prevalences of FGM/C are the Kissi (88.2%), the Guerzé (77.8%) and the Toma (69.3%).  However, of the Toma, a relatively small number of women were interviewed, so this should be interpreted with caution.  Muslim women aged 15–49 are more likely to be cut (97.1%) than Christian women (77.9%) or women of no religious affiliation (85.3%).

Overall, 65.4% of women and 59.6% of men aged 15–49 who have heard of FGM/C believe that the practice should be continued.  Support for the continuation of FGM/C is highest in rural areas and among those with lower levels of education.  55.8% of women and 64.3% of men believe that FGM is a requirement of their religion.