The Influence of Social Norms in FGM Practice on Guliso Primary School girls, West Wellega.

Abstract

Introduction: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is widely practiced across the world. Female genital mutilation is a long held tradition in the society of Ethiopia. The practice involves either partial or total removal of the female external genitalia for various reasons. FGM is documented to be rooted in religious, personal and societal factors. Objective: Objective of the study is to assess Influence of Social Norms in FGM Practice in Gulisso Primary School, west Wellega, West Wollega Zone, Oromia National Regional State. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used because relevant data were collected at one point in time. To this effect, both descriptive and explanatory research design were utilized for the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were cross-checked for factual verification and incorporated in the final research report. By using simple random sampling 190-sample student were selected from 357 total household heads. The data for the study were collected through questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. Quantitative data were analyzed by using table, frequency and percentage. While, qualitative data were analyzed in description form by using words. The analyzed data information was presented based on the specific objectives used in the study in the form of tables, description and cases to make the findings simple and more readable. Results: The study revealed that More than half of the study participants, 101(53.2%) believed that social norm influences the rate of female genital mutilation. Majority of the study participants, 164 (86.3%) believed that social norms have contribution of towards the continual practice of female genital mutilation on primary school girls. 94(49.5%) of the study participants assume that marriage influence the rate of female genital mutilation. Conclusion and recommendation: The main reasons for the continued practices of FGM in the community include FGM are very much intertwined with social norms within the community, age, marriage. Based on the findings the following recommendations were suggested Community, Abba Geda, Hadha Siige and religious leader should collaborate with local authorities and other institutions to learn, teach, and take violators to legal bodies, women should organize and work together in their development team at all levels in order to keeps their right and government should increase community’s awareness on the existing laws against the practices of FGM plus on harmfulness of FGM.