In southern Cameroon, the practice of “breast ironing” affects an estimated quarter of the female population, or 4 million women and girls . It is a form of female body mutilation in which household objects such as rocks, spatulas, coconut shells, wooden pestles and unripe bananas are heated over a fire and then used to “iron” flat the breast tissue of pubescent girls.
Scholars and activists who have documented it agree that it is clearly a painful procedure to undergo. The long-term medical complications that can arise from breast ironing are troubling: breast cancer, infections, lesions, and permanent
damage to milk ducts.
The ironing is generally performed by girls’ mothers at the first sign of puberty, but occasionally girls do it to themselves. In sharp contrast to many forms of female body modification, this procedure is carried out specifically to make young women less attractive to men and boys.Woman using a heated rock
to flatten the young girl's breast
In a country with high pregnancy rates due to lack of sexual
education, many mothers claim that making their daughters’ breasts less attractive to males helps to ensure that their daughters will avoid pregnancy and finish school. Some girls do it to themselves in this effort to secure an education free from male harassment.
Tools used in Breast Ironing
In 2005, representatives from Cameroon's local Aunties' associations formed the National Network of Aunties' Associations (RENATA), whose members themselves have undergone breast ironing. In 2006, the Aunties began a culturally-sensitive campaign to draw public attention to the hidden psychological trauma and other health risks of the practice.
RENATA has produced radio and television spots, and several radio and television journalists have joined in spreading information about breast ironing in local languages. Utilizing images common to Cameroonians, leaflets and calendars outlining the types of objects
used in breast ironing have also been produced. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) concludes that the Aunties' approach utilizing media is transferable to other countries with traditions and contemporary situations not unlike those found in Cameroon. “This approach is a good example of capacity development in that it enables young women at risk of marginalization to connect and support each other, locally and nationwide, and to shape their own futures.”
The question that begs an answer in my mind is an anthropological one. All of central Africa suffers from the same maladies as Cameroon--teen pregnancy, poor education about health, lack of children's rights--but the practice hasn't been adopted elsewhere. Other harmful ceremonial
acts against women have spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, such as female genital cutting, stoning, and trokosi, but not breast ironing. I don't ask why breast ironing is practiced in Cameroon. On the contrary, why isn't it practiced in neighboring countries? Interesting.
A piece written by Laine Strutton
Pictures imbedded by Dionne Mills
Adams, S. (2007). 'Aunties' for sexual and reproductive health: How
unwed young mothers become advocates, teachers and counsellors in
cameroon. German HIV Practice Collection (Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur
Technische Zusammenarbeit), (July), 35. Retrieved from
http://www.popline.org/docs/1763/319736.html
DeMello, M. (2007). Encyclopedia of body adornment. Westport, CT:
Greenwood Publishing Group.
Sa'ha, Randy Joe. (2006). "Cameroon Girls Battle Breast Ironing." BBC
World New, 23 June, 2006. See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5107360.stm
United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA). (2006). Breast ironing. New
York: United Nations. Retrieved from
http://www.unfpa.org/16days/documents /pl_breakironing_factsheet.doc
I have never heard of that before. I've heard and written about genital mutilation, but this is all new to me. It is frustrating to me what women will do to their bodies to pleas (or in this case, not please) men. It makes me angry at men. It makes me angry at women for not standing up for themselves. Of course me just being angry doesn't to anything. I do think that being aware of it is important, however, because women in our society do similar things. I consider breast implants to be in the same vein as breast ironing.
ReplyDeleteI agree Beth, our society also teaches our girls that in order to gain or repel the attention of a man, that the changes necessary are all skin deep. It negates our very essence
ReplyDeleteI am from Cameroon myself but I migrated to the US with my family at age 11. I truely believed it wasn't just for better opportunites but it was also because of such practices that my parents felt their children deserved a better future. I truly gets to me when I think about this. I mean those are my sisters and I sometimes put myself in one of those young girls position but i can only imagine. I really wish I can do something about it now but I know I will in the future.
ReplyDeleteI just feel like women have to stand up for themselves. Yes, it's easier said than done but they have to do it. They have to do it for themselves, their daughters, a better future for their offsprings, and a better nation in general. As for men, I pity them. This generation is just messed up and those men who are against it need to speak up and stop dealing with it. Their mindsets have to changed. How? Now this is when the law needs to step up. This is also a political issue but as corrupted as Cameroonian government is, it's almost a dream to think or hope they'll step their game up.
It's really sad. But I know my God is not sleeping. My mothers and sisters won't have to go through this for too long. I can't wait to grow up and be able to do something about it.
In all of my life, I've never ever heard of breast ironing. And you say if effect 4 million women and girls? I'm in shock and feel that I have now heard it all. Just as Beth expressed anger, I'm a bit angry too, but at those Mothers who would physically do that to their little girls, and at their fathers who would allow such torture of their own children. Shame! I'm sorry to express myself that way, but breast ironing is sick, and not on the same level as breast enlargments or reductions.
ReplyDeleteGod knows everything and I thank Him for his Mercy!