Worldwide Context: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a human rights issue affecting over 200 million women and girls worldwide, concentrated in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. FGM is rooted in social traditions, and many communities see it as a rite of passage, a mark of purity, or preparation for marriage. While the practice is commonly misunderstood as religious, FGM is cultural, often enforced by societal pressures and misconceptions around female sexuality. It carries severe health risks, including infections, childbirth complications, and lasting psychological trauma. Global efforts, led by the United Nations and WHO, aim to eliminate FGM by 2030 through education, advocacy, and legal enforcement.

​

FGM in Tanzania: FGM remains a critical issue in Tanzania, especially in rural and tribal communities. Although banned for minors since 1998, around 10% of Tanzanian women and girls have undergone FGM, with much higher rates in specific regions like Mara, Manyara, and Dodoma. These practices vary significantly by tribe and region, with unique cultural beliefs and customs shaping how, when, and why FGM is performed.

​

Tribal Practices and Age Variations:

• The Kuria Tribe (Mara Region): Among the Kuria in Mara, FGM is often performed on adolescent girls or young women, sometimes even on adults before marriage. For the Kuria, FGM marks a woman’s readiness for marriage and her place in society. The Kuria have a local term, Binti Msaghane, which signifies a girl’s passage into adulthood and is often associated with undergoing FGM. This practice is deeply ingrained in the Kuria’s social fabric, and girls who do not undergo FGM may face stigma or exclusion. However, local initiatives are challenging these norms, promoting new meanings for Binti Msaghane that focus on empowerment and health rather than FGM.

​

• The Mang’ati Tribe: Among the Mang’ati, FGM is commonly performed on toddlers or babies. In these communities, FGM is seen as essential for preserving purity and preparing girls for adulthood from an early age. The procedure is typically done in secrecy and often involves unsterilized tools, exposing infants to infections and serious health risks.

​

• The Maasai Tribe: FGM is also widely practiced among the Maasai, often on girls in early childhood, sometimes as young as infants. For the Maasai, FGM is closely tied to cultural ideals of purity, respect, and readiness for marriage, with uncut girls seen as unsuitable for marriage. Due to its early timing, Maasai girls undergo FGM before they are aware of their rights or the practice’s long-term effects.

​

Health and Psychological Impact: Across all regions and tribes, FGM is performed without medical supervision, leading to serious health complications, including infections, severe pain, hemorrhaging, complications during childbirth, and even death. Beyond the physical trauma, FGM survivors often experience long-term emotional and psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

​

Legal Status and Enforcement Challenges: Tanzania criminalized FGM for minors under the Sexual Offenses Special Provisions Act of 1998, but enforcement remains weak in rural areas, where social norms and traditional beliefs are strong. Some families evade the law by taking girls across borders to undergo FGM in neighboring countries with weaker enforcement. Cultural beliefs and community pressure make it challenging for girls to reject FGM, as it often affects their social standing and marriage prospects.

​

Read the UNFPA report on FGM in Tanzania here.

​