Dissertation (MSc Midwifery)Background: Although modern obstetrics have made child birth remarkably safe from life threatening event in the western world, there are still some challenges in the middle income countries including Tanzania. This study intended to determine the association between Female Genital Mutilation and the perineal injury among Laboring women in Dodoma. Methods: A matched case-control study of 364 random selected laboring women was conducted in three districts and one Regional hospital. Control was matched to the cases based on maternal age ratio 1:2 making a sample of 121 cases and 243 controls. FGM and perineal injury was measured according to WHO guidelines. Direct observation was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the extent of FGM and perineal injury while in inferential statistics chi-square and logistic regression was used to determine the association of FGM and perineal injury and other variables. Results: A total of 364 laboring women were reviewed. The result showed that 40.4%(n=147) were circumcised and 59%% (n=217) not circumcised. Chi-square test indicated that, there was significant association between FGM and perineal injury (p=0.001) and after regression the findings showed that FGM was associated with the presence of perineal injury. Newborn body weight (AOR=10.989, P=0.001), Instrumental delivery (AOR=7.368, P=0.001), Augmentation of labor (AOR=2.168, P=0.001), Marital status (AOR=2.066, P>0.047), were the risk factors identified for perineal injury. Conclusion: Based on results, FGM rate was high and associated with perineal injury. Other risk factors that were observed include: instrumental delivery, augmentation of labor, Residence and parity which showed significant association with perineal injury. Key word: Female genital mutilation, Degree of perineal injury.