Abstract
Female genital mutilation is a deeply rooted tradition in many countries, including in some Tanzanian communities despite the various advocacy and legal interventions to stop it. This study examines community awareness and prevalence of female genital mutilation in selected villages of Ikungi District using the behavioural change perspective. The specific objectives of the study were 1) to analyse the levels of awareness on the existence of FGM, and 2) to examine prevalence of FGM in the study area. Data were collected from 150 adolescent school girls and 150 parents/caregivers school teachers, local government officials, traditional birth attendants and religious leaders using questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews and documentary review. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent samples t-test and qualitative content analysis. The study findings revealed that community awareness on female genital mutilation was generally high (98%) among both adults and school girls. Female genital mutilation was still being practiced secretly in the area (specifically on girl dodders), for spiritual, sociological and hygienic reasons. Prevalence rate of female genital mutilation among young girls was estimated at 12% although could be higher in more remote rural villages. It is recommended that the government and other actors should use the available community radio stations to disseminate information to change current cultural notions and practices favoring female genital mutilation in the district. The voice of religious leaders should also be enhanced and supported to strengthen peer group discussions at church and mosque levels because female genital mutilation was not reported to be a religious requirement.
Highlights
This paper examines community awareness and prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in selected villages of Ikungi District in Tanzania using the behavioural change perspective
The study findings revealed that community awareness on female genital mutilation was generally high (98%) among both adults and school girls
This study has examined community awareness and prevalence of FGM in Ikungi district
Summary
This paper examines community awareness and prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in selected villages of Ikungi District in Tanzania using the behavioural change perspective. FGM is widely considered as an act of gender-based violence as well as a human rights violation [9], a practice which is typically performed on young girls (and, occasionally, female infants or teenagers) in a variety of cultures. It is performed on women who are about to be married, and even women who are pregnant with their first child or who have just given birth [1] [5] [6]. As WHO states, the practice has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways [10]
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