Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia

Every community performs different rites of passage of which Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one. FGM is carried out commonly in the name of tradition that it is a custom handed down from past generation and must be continued. As tradition is a commonly shared attribute in a community, all members of that community should equally benefit from or enjoy it. Contrary to this, half of humanity -women- have been subjected to this dreadful practice, FGM. Although the direct victims of the practice are women, in reality males benefit nothing from the procedure, except fulfilling the belief held in their minds. Denouncing FGM is not a matter of morality or gender equality rather it is a human right issue. To bring it to an end, therefore, all human beings should take any action possible. In this regard, I hope, this manuscript will serve as a resource for human right activists, researchers, donors, policymakers and educators.