Breast ironing - the brutal flattening of a young girl's developing
chest to 'protect her from rape and sexual harassment' - now affects 3.8
million women around the world, according to a UN report. The process
uses large stones, a hammer or a spatula that has been heated over hot
coals to compress or mutilate the breast tissue and make the adolescent
look less 'womanly'.
It is a widespread practice in Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa with
the girl's mother being the abuser in 58 per cent of cases, according to
the Department of Public Health Services. The rationale is to prevent
girls from developing breasts between 11 and 15 years old in the belief
that a flat childlike appearance will discourage unwanted male attention
and premarital pregnancy.
The mother often warrants the ritual, removing signs of puberty, so her
daughter can pursue education for longer rather than being seen as
'ready for marriage'.
Culled from Daily Mail
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