Forbidden, yet common: Female genital cutting among the Oromo in central Ethiopia

This article answers the question 'why female genital cutting (FGC) has remained common among the Oromo in central Ethiopia when it is legally forbidden.' Primary data for this article were generated through key informant interviews and focus group discussions, while secondary data were gathered from online and archives in the research site. Our findings indicate that the government tries to use legislative and health approaches in its efforts to terminate FGC. However, it has survived over time because of the strong resistance that the community in the research area wages against the intervention efforts. The very reason behind the resistance to end FGC is a patriarchal value that shapes gender relations, women's sexuality, and behaviors. The community gives precedence to the socio-cultural values of FGC over its criminalization and the stated negative health effects. Paradoxically, women are at the forefront in promoting FGC, for they believe that FGC shapes the sexual behavior of the girls and defines the gender identity of their daughters. The women take the prime responsibility to raise and mold the girls into ideal female behavior.