Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights of girls and women constituting an extreme form of gender discrimination with documented health consequences. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of FGM practice in the study area. The study was both quantitative and qualitative in nature and to this end we carried out a cross-sectional prospective descriptive study in the Kembata Community district. Participants were selected from six randomly selected kebeles in Angacha woreda. The variables studied were of an epidemiological nature. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Quantitative data were presented as mean, percentage and frequency. And the qualitative data were analyzed and interpreted thematically and the results are presented in narrative form. Of the 278 participants (women of child-bearing age "15-49") rolled up in this work, 92.4% are practiced FGM, and 77.7% of are undergone themselves. The practice is undergone by health professionals at night time. Traditions, reproductive and community roles, norms, and values regarding gender equality are the major push factors for the continuation of the FGM. Based on the findings, it was concluded that, the prevalence of FGM is high in the study area. Attitudinal transformation is needed through a cooperative and collaborative campaign of all stakeholders in the entire community in order to minimize the prevalence of FGM.

Keywords: Prevalence, Female Genital Mutilation, Kembata Community and Ethiopia