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

Abstract

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional 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 rights 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 mutilation, and challenges and critical institutional gaps in fighting FGM in Shebedino and Gorichie districts 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 semi 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 experience of FGM is highly prevalent in Shebedino and Gorichie districts. All people including the district officials, religious leaders, community elders, teachers and civil servants (educated or not educated) are practicing it upon their children due to cultural beliefs and long standing 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 results further indicated that females suffer from a number of physical, psychological and social problems as a result of being a victim of genital mutilation. Therefore empowering people in the community with knowledge on the issue of FGM and providing the necessary resources will help eliminating the practice. Key words: Female genital mutilation, causes of female genital mutilation, female genital mutilation consequences, combating female genital mutilation, Ethiopia.