Breast Ironing is an evil practice & a gender-based crime, which needs to be stopped.

What is Breast Ironing 

Breast Ironing, also referred to as “breast flattening,” is the practice of using hard or heated objects to iron, massage, or pound down the breasts of young pubescent girls to make the breasts completely disappear or postpone their development.

Conformist Thoughts Behind this 

Breast Ironing is typically initiated by female relatives and begins with the onset of puberty. Most of the time, the abuser believes falsely that their actions are in the child’s best interests. The child will become less “womanly” if her breasts are flattened. In addition to assisting the girl in continuing her education, they hope that this will shield her from harassment, rape, kidnapping, and early forced marriage.

Where is it Practiced?  

Breast-Ironing is one of the five crimes related to gender violence that go unreported. Breast ironing affects up to 3.8 million in Africa; estimates range from 25% to 50% of girls in Cameroon.   

These countries mostly practice it in Benin, Ivory Coast, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Togo, Zimbabwe, and Guinea-Conakry.

Cultural and Social Motivations 

Misconceptions Regarding Puberty 

In certain cultures, the onset of puberty is seen as a sign of impending sex and early pregnancy. Some families try to shield their daughters from these consequences by delaying breast development. 

Tradition and Social Pressure 

Social conventions and traditional beliefs impose expectations on a girl’s physical appearance that they must meet. A girl has to undergo the practice of breast-ironing to protect her future prosperity and reputation. 

Perceived Educational and Economic Benefits 

It is thought that girls who are not physically mature will encounter fewer obstacles and distractions, which could improve their performance in school and the workplace.

Health Risks  

• Tissue Damage 

• Infection 

• Cysts, which are fluid-filled lumps under the skin that can develop into abscesses 

• Painful collections of pus under the skin 

• One or both breasts completely disappear; the breasts change dramatically in size or shape 

Efforts to Combat Breast Ironing 

Education and Awareness 

It’s important to spread knowledge about healthy body development and the risks associated with breast ironing. Communities, where breast ironing is practiced, can benefit from education programs that help eliminate false beliefs. 

Assistance for Affected Girls 

It’s critical to offer girls who have had breast flattening both medical and psychological assistance. Counselors and medical professionals can provide care and support in helping them deal with trauma. 

Legislative Action 

To protect girls from harmful practices, governments and international organizations can collaborate to implement and enforce laws. Additionally, advocacy work can help bring the issue to the attention of a wider audience and inspire action.  

For young girls, breast ironing is a harmful practice that has serious physical and psychological repercussions. Legislative action, community involvement, and education must all be used to address this problem. We can work toward ending the practice of breast flattening and guaranteeing a healthier future for all by promoting a greater understanding of the detrimental effects of this practice and advocating for the rights and welfare of girls.