A 21-year-old mother, S.B., appeared before the Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI) de Kaya in Burkina Faso for attempting to excise her 5-month-old daughter. She is one of 39 people, including one man, being prosecuted for excision-related offenses that have resulted in around 30 victims. According to reports, S.B. did not inform her husband, who was not present at the time, as he was working at a gold mining site and was opposed to the practice.
During her interrogation, S.B. admitted that she did not obtain her husband's consent before attempting to excise their daughter. When questioned by the tribunal, she stated that she was aware her husband was against the practice but proceeded with it anyway. The tribunal expressed concern over the young age of the child and the mother's priorities, noting that S.B. seemed more concerned with excising her daughter than thinking about her future.
The public prosecutor questioned S.B. about her understanding of tradition and her decision-making as a parent. The prosecutor highlighted that S.B. was only 21 years old and asked what tradition she was trying to respect by attempting to excise her daughter. The prosecutor also raised concerns about S.B.'s ability to make decisions about her child's well-being without consulting the father.
The public prosecutor warned S.B. that continuing to make decisions on her own without consulting her partner could lead to problems in her household. The prosecutor also asked if a 5-month-old child could withstand the pain of excision, to which S.B. seemed to have no adequate response. Her testimony was part of a three-day hearing at the TGI de Kaya, which began on October 26, 2026.
The hearing, which is taking place at the Boussouma town hall, is being held in collaboration with ENABEL. The trial concerns 39 defendants, including S.B., who are accused of excision-related offenses. The case has garnered significant attention due to the young age of the victims and the defendants.
S.B. has asked for leniency from the tribunal after her testimony. Her case highlights the ongoing challenges in combating the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Burkina Faso. According to reports, FGM remains a significant concern in the country, with many cases going unreported.
The trial is expected to continue for the next two days, with the tribunal hearing testimonies from the defendants and witnesses. The case is seen as a significant step towards holding perpetrators of FGM accountable and raising awareness about the dangers of the practice.
Key points
- The trial of S.B. and 38 others highlights the ongoing challenges in combating female genital mutilation in Burkina Faso.
- The case has drawn attention to the need for greater awareness and education about the dangers of FGM.
- The trial is being held in collaboration with ENABEL, a development agency working to combat FGM and other social issues in Burkina Faso.
