Why Cameroon Mothers Iron Daughters’ Breasts

For many girls around the world, the onset of puberty signifies a time of uncertainty, and anxiety as the body begins to change and mature, but for many others, it’s a time they dread as the start of adolescence comes with a breast ironing practice.

Studies show that breast ironing is practised in Chad, Guinea Bissau, Togo, and Benin. It is most common in Cameroon, though there have been reported cases in the UK as west African immigrants girls in the UK have been believed to pass through the cruel practice.

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Breast ironing, also known as breast flattening, entails the use of various objects, including stones, coconut shells, ladles, spatulas, hammers etc, which are placed on a fire, then pounded or rigorously massaged on the breast of adolescent girls.

The said practice often performed by mothers is aimed at making the teens less attractive so as to prevent them from unwanted sexual advances.

Like the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), Breast Ironing is a direct assault on womanhood by other women.

As well as extreme pain and psychological damage, the practice puts the young women at increased risk of developing cysts(a membranous sac or cavity of abnormal character in the body, containing fluid) infections and even cancer.

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The awful part of the practice is that it actually does not stop the breast from developing but rather leaves the young girls feeling ashamed of their body and traumatized.

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