Punitive Actions against Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting in the Criminal Code

Brief Description

Articles 565 to 570 of the Criminal Code contain provisions against female genital mutilation/ cutting.  The following provisions are enforced to prevent harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation: Whoever circumcises a woman of any age, is punishable with simple imprisonment for not less than three months, or fine not less than five hundred Birr. 

(1) Whoever infibulates the genitalia of a woman, is punishable with rigorous imprisonment from three years to five years.
(2) Where injury to body or health has resulted due to the act prescribed in sub-article (1) above, subject to the provision of the Criminal Code which provides for a more severe penalty, the punishment shall be rigorous imprisonment from five years to ten years.

Chapter III -  Crimes Committed against life, person and health through harmful traditional practices

Article 561 - Endangering the Lives of Pregnant Women and Children through Harmful Traditional Practices

Article 562 - Causing Bodily Injury to Pregnant Women and Children Through Harmful Traditional Practices

Article 564 - Violence Against a Marriage Partner or a Person Cohabiting in an Irregular Union.

Article 565 - Female Circumcision.

Article 566 - Infibulation of the Female Genitalia.

Article 567 - Bodily Injuries Caused Through Other Harmful Traditional Practices.

Article 568 - Transmission of Disease through Harmful Traditional Practices

Article 569 - Participation in Harmful Traditional Practices

Article 570 - Incitement Against the Enforcement of Provisions Prohibiting Harmful Traditional Practices

Other provisions

Article 587 - Abduction of a Woman (forced marriage)

Article 597 - Trafficking in Women and Children

Article 625 -Taking Advantage of the Distress or Dependence of a Woman (sexual harassment)

Article 635 - Traffic in Women and Minors

Article 637 - Organization of Traffic in Women and Minors

Article 648 - Early Marriage