Female Genital Mutilation: Prevalence, Perceptions & Effect on Girls’ Health: The Case of Shebedino & Goriche Dist ricts, Ethiopia

Abstract

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful tradit ional practice which involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural and traditional reasons. It is a criminal offence as it causes pain, violates the human right s and the health of women; and puts girls at risk. This study focuses on the prevalence of FGM, cultural beliefs and magnitude of the practice, consequences involved after the mutilatio n, and challenges and critical institutional gaps in fighting FGM in Shebedino and Gorichie dist ricts in Ethiopia. A total of 140 informants (120 reproductive women, 10 community leaders & 10 government officials of the two districts) took part in the study. Survey questionnaire and se mi structured interview are employed to collect the data. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the practice and experie nce of FGM is highly prevalent in Shebedino and Gorichie districts. All people including the di strict officials, religious leaders, community elders, teachers and civil servants (educated or no t educated) are practicing it upon their children due to cultural beliefs and long standin g societal attitude/culture characterized by imbalanced gender relations, economic factors, lack of awareness on the adverse effects of the practices and legal and policy frameworks. The resu lts further indicated that females suffer from a number of physical, psychological and social prob lems as a result of being a victim of genital mutilation. Therefore empowering people in the com munity with knowledge on the issue of FGM and providing the necessary resources will help eli minating the practice.