Posted by Huffpo|23 July 2010|Huffpo|
Affecting one out of every four girls, the brutal practice of “breast ironing” is on the rise in the African country of Cameroon. The procedure — which involves the flattening of a young girl’s growing breasts with hot stones, coconut shells and other objects — is considered a way to curb the country’s staggering number of teenage pregnancies, particularly high in rural areas, as well as limit the risk of sexual assault.
According to a new report by CurrentTV, Cameroonian mothers believe breast ironing will protect their daughters from becoming pregnant and being assaulted in that it will postpone their development and men will not be enticed by their breasts. With dietary habits in the country improving, girls are beginning to hit puberty as young as 9, and are subject to the practice around at the same age.
Though only limited medical research has been done on the practice, Cameroonian women say breast ironing can lead to numerous physical issues, such as burns and deformations, not to mention psychological problems. The procedure has been compared to the custom of female circumcision/genital mutilation.
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I am so amazed at this issue of breast ironing. Someone trying to correct nature, never head. So because man cannot disciplene themselves these small girls have to endure so much pain of all kind. Why has not someone in Cameroon thought of ironing man’s eyes or brains so that they can realise a child is different from a woman, with or without breast. I would love to hear a man’s view on this practise.
I do not remember since when i saw a girl’s breast being ironed! But it is a reality in Cameroon.
We need many more educative associations to curb such practices especially if they are headed by Cameroonian investigators.
Nina, it was a good job!
Cheers,
Dr FONGUAZI Protest
Internist/nephrology
Garoua Regional ,Hospital.
North, Cameroon