This story starts from the perspective that female genital mutilation (FGM) is a practice which needs to be eliminated. The aim of the research was to investigate those factors which facilitate or militate against its elimination, in one particular area of Tanzania. Questionnaire data were collected from 150 women in two villages in Moshi, and from focus groups with men and women. “Tradition” was given as the main reason for the continuation of the practice, which affected 41 percent of the 150 women questioned. Health workers are involved in FGM, and mothers and grandmothers were the most influential in persuading girls to undergo the operation. The communities involved could see some of the disadvantages and were willing to discuss it.
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