Tanzania

The prevalence of FGM varies greatly across the different regions of Tanzania.  The regions with the highest prevalence are in a band extending from the centre of the country northward:  Manyara (57.7% of women aged 15-49), Dodoma (46.7%), Arusha (41%), Mara (32.%) and Singida (30.9%).  The prevalence in all other regions is below 15%.  Women who live in rural areas are more likely to be cut (12.7% of women aged 15-49) than women who live in urban areas (5.3%).

There is little data available on relative prevalence according to women’s religion; however, 95.1% of women aged 15-49 who have heard of FGM state that they do not believe it is required by their religion.

95% of women aged 15-49 state that they believe FGM should be stopped.

Between 2010 and 2016, the overall prevalence for women aged 15-49 fell from 14.6% to 10%.  Due to the large age-range of women included, however, the overall prevalence alone may not fully reflect the progress that has been made in recent years.  Breaking down the most recent data by age group shows that the prevalence for women aged 45-49 is 18.7%, while for the youngest age group this has fallen to 4.7%.  Despite the fact that a small proportion of women may be cut after the age of 15, the data demonstrates a clear trend towards lower prevalences among younger women.