The applicant is from the Ibo tribe in Nigeria. As an infant, she underwent FGM because it was expected for every female in the tribe. The applicant was very young when she underwent FGM and does not remember the procedure. Typically, elderly women performed the surgery using non-sterile razor blades, administering no painkillers. The applicant had a very painful and dangerous childbirth.
Sexual intercourse is also very painful for the applicant.
If returned to Nigeria, the tribal elders would force the circumcision on her daughters. If she resisted, she and her family would be ostracized. They cannot move to Christian parts of Nigeria because of the violence against Christians by the Islamic government. Nevertheless, the tribal customs are followed, specifically FGM, even among Christians in Nigeria. See above for how the attorney and applicant framed the case.