| Summary: | Despite its harmful effects on the health of women, female genital mutilation or female circumcision is practiced in many developing countries. In Nigeria the incidence ranges from 29.5% in the urban areas to over 90% in the rural areas. Reasons for the practice are mainly cultural and moral, followed by religious and other reasons. Decision to carry out circumcision was taken by men in 40% of cases and female in 43%, suggesting that awareness campaign against the practice should also be directed to men. Attitudes of respondents to female circumcision suggest condemnation of the practice by those who hitherto see it as criterion for social acceptance, and is associated with level of education of the respondents.
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