Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a worldwide complex, deeply rooted practice and affecting
almost all ethnic groups. FGM is widely practiced by Ethiopian women, specially, in Eastern
part, Somali region. The practice affects the health and psychological well-being of millions of
Ethiopian women and children.Moreover, it is a violation of child’s and women’s human rights,
denying them of their physical and mental integrity and their right to freedom from violence,
torture and discrimination. Psychosexual, social, hygienic and religious reasons are given for
the practice.The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of FGM
among the community of Gursum Woreda, Somali Regional State of Eastern Ethiopia. A
quantitative cross sectional research method was employed and a total of 430 respondents
participate in this study.The ordinal regression method was used to model the relationship
between the orderedcategorical outcome variable, the support for the practice of FGM and the
explanatory variables concerning demographics, knowledge and attitude towards the
practice.The findings of the study reveals that age, education and religion of socio economic
factors, knowledge and attitude towards the practice found to be statistically determinants for
the support for the continuation of the practice of FGMin the study area.Increasing awareness
and knowledge on the ill effect of FGM, community empowerment, girls and women education
and empowerment, encouraging men involvement, working in collaboration with religious
leaders, advocacy for implementation of existing policies and anti-FGM legislation were
recommended to bring about change of attitude and social behavioral change towards FGM in
the study area.