Gambiaj.com – (ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire) – A recent investigation by DW Africa has uncovered a disturbing trade in excised clitorises in parts of Ivory Coast, despite an official ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) since 1998. This trafficking, driven by occult beliefs, underscores the significant challenges in the fight against FGM in the country.

In the Touba region of northwest Ivory Coast, excised clitorises have become sought-after commodities for their alleged magical properties. Labe Gneble, director of the National Organization for Children, Women, and the Family (Onef), explains, “After ablation, these organs are used for fetishistic, spiritual, or mystical practices. They are believed to confer power—politically, socially, and spiritually—and are also used in love potions.”

The price of an excised clitoris can reach 100,000 CFA francs, exceeding the minimum wage in Ivory Coast. These body parts are typically ground into powder and mixed with plants to create objects believed to bestow wealth and power.

Despite the legal ban, excision remains prevalent in certain regions of the north and west. Gneble reveals alarming statistics: “According to the latest data we have from 2021, the prevalence is still at 36.7%. We are moving forward, but we are also regressing.”

Excision, often performed between childhood and adolescence, is still viewed as a rite of passage to adulthood in some communities. However, the health consequences can be severe, particularly due to the often unsanitary conditions during the procedure.

While the true extent of clitoris trafficking is challenging to quantify, its existence highlights the persistent obstacles to eradicating FGM in Côte d’Ivoire. A resident of Katiola in the north notes that traditionally, the excised clitoris should be buried or returned to the parents, suggesting that trafficking is still a marginal practice.

Ivorian law classifies this trafficking as a crime punishable by several years in prison, similar to the punishment for excision itself. However, enforcing these laws remains a significant challenge throughout the country.