Canada

37,103,090

0.9%

Estimated prevalence among girls and women aged 15-49

Female genital cutting (FGC) is not traditionally practised in Canada. A growing number of survivors are speaking out about the continuation of the practice within immigrant, refugee and diaspora populations.

Type practised

The type of FGC practised by communities in Canada is likely to be varied. Canadian survivors have spoken out against the practice from the Canadian-Somali community. Within Somalia, Type III FGC is most prevalent. Survivors have also spoke out from the Dawoodi Bohra community, which is reported to practice Type I FGC across India, Pakistan and within the global diaspora.

Age

Unknown. Girls from different communities could undergo FGC from birth, approximately up until the age of 16, depending on the traditional age of cutting within a specific ethnic group.

Agent

Unknown. Girls and women have reportedly undergone FGC within Canada, and through being taken overseas to undergo the procedure. This is also known as “vacation cutting”.

Legal status

Illegal. FGC is a criminal offence in Canada.

National progress

• 2018 – Canada invested $3 million (CAD) into ending FGC in Northern Benin
• 2017 – UK and Canada’s Prime Ministers made a joint commitment to collaborate closely to prevent gender-based violence
• 2017 – International Development Minister Bibeau launched Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Human Development Index ranking

 12 in 2018 index, based on 2017 data.

Infant mortality rate

 4.3 deaths per 1,000 live births (2016).

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths per 100,000 live births (2015).

Source: Human Development Index

Trends in FGC prevalence

Trends in prevalence of FGC in Canada are unknown.

Practising ethnic groups

Survivors from the Canadian-Somali community have spoken out against FGC, as well as survivors from the Dawoodi Bohra community in Canada. FGC could also be prevalent within other immigrant and refugee populations from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Resources and Media