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'Breast ironing' is a form of body modification practiced in parts of Cameroon. Pubescent girls' breasts are flattened, usually by their mother, in an attempt to make them less sexually attractive to men. This practice is believed to help prevent rape and early marriage. Grinding stones, pestles, belts, heated objects and breast bands are used to press or beat down the forming breasts. Local non-governmental organizations are trying to call attention to this practice and stop it.

Contents

Health consequences

Scope

See also

Notes

References

Health consequences

While there is little research on the health effects of breast ironing, it is generally believed that the practice can cause tissue damage in addition to the pain of the ironing process. Other possible side-effects include breast infections, the formation of abscesses, breast cancer, malformed breasts and the possible complete eradication of one or both breasts.^[1] In addition, the practice can inhibit or prevent successful breastfeeding.

Scope

A survey by the German development agency GTZ from June, 2006 of more than 5,000 girls and women between the ages of 10 and 82 from Cameroon, estimated that nearly one in four, or four million girls in Cameroon alone, had been subjected to the procedure.

See also

★ Cameroon

★ Body modification

★ Female genital cutting

Notes

1. Reuters.

References

★ Cameroon girls battle 'breast ironing', June 23, 2006, BBC News. Last accessed January 20, 2007.

★ An Unwelcome "Gift of God", June 13, 2006 IPS News. Last accessed January 20, 2007.

★ Campaign launched to counter "breast ironing", June 28, 2006, PLUSNEWS. Last accessed January 20, 2007

★ Millions of Cameroon girls suffer "breast ironing"; the second item on the page, July 7, 2006, Reuters. Last accessed September 26, 2006.

★ Ironed Maidens, January 15, 2007 Harper's Magazine. Last accessed January 31, 2007.