Abstract:
Female genital mutilation has been recognized as a violation of human rights of girls and women
however FGM still practiced in Ethiopia Somali region based on socio- cultural and Institutional
factors. The aim of this study was to assess the socio-cultural and institutional factors for the
Persistence of Female Genital Mutilation in Somali regional state considering the case of
Kebribeyah town, Fafen Zone. The study adopted a mixed research design. A sample of 332
respondents, of which 290 females and 42 males, aged 18-59 years, were drawn from two kebeles
of Kebribeyah using random sampling technique. Besides, key informant interview and focus
group discussion were employed to gathered data. Purposive sampling technique was used so as
to select respondents. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences
(SPSS) Version 20. Major findings revealed that whole female population or 100 % of them
included in the study were practicing female genital mutilation in the study area, i.e. Kebribeyah
town. When we consider the whole respondents males and females) many of them, i.e. 173(about
52%) cited “Religion” as the most important social factor that preserved FGM in the study area.
The most accepted cultural factors preserving the practice were that it was done in order to get
females ready for marriage, i.e. it is culturally a pre-requisite for marriage, as the traditional
norm. Additionally there are formal institutions for ending up the practice and this has resulted to
some extent of intervention in a declining of the practice by government control and active NGOs
both nationally and locally. The study concluded that FGM is still being practiced in the
communities studied and actually, they encourage its continuity. The study recommends more
sensitization campaign on the social structures supporting the practice
