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.