Ivory Coast cracks down on female genital mutilation after brutal attack on five girls

Bongouanou, 06 Jul 2026 — The Ministry of Women, Family, and Children has reaffirmed Ivory Coast’s zero-tolerance policy against female genital mutilation (FGM) following the violent mutilation of five young girls in Bongouanou. This declaration comes after an emergency communiqué detailing the horrific incident.

The brutal act occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 June 2026, in the Dioulakro neighborhood of the village of Kangandi, within the Bongouanou district. The victims, aged between three and nine years old, suffered severe bodily harm, including heavy bleeding, urinary retention, and deep psychological trauma, as outlined in the official report.

Prompted by an anonymous tip, a rapid-response team comprising regional officials from the Ministry of Women, Family, and Children, the Judicial Protection Service for Children and Youth (SPJEJ), and local police swiftly intervened to rescue the children. The girls were rushed to the Bongouanou Departmental Public Hospital, where they received urgent medical care.

Now under the protection of the Ministry, the five survivors are being cared for in a specialized facility. They are receiving continuous medical treatment as well as psychological and social support to aid their recovery.

On the legal front, two suspects were arrested immediately after the incident. Authorities are actively pursuing the identification and prosecution of all individuals involved in orchestrating or enabling this act of violence.

Ivorian law strictly prohibits FGM, classifying it as a serious criminal offense. This latest crackdown aligns with the national pledge made by First Lady Dominique Ouattara on 13 June 2026, reinforcing the country’s commitment to eliminating gender-based violence (GBV).

In response to the ongoing threat, government officials are urging communities to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases or attempts of genital mutilation immediately.