What Is Breast Pressing Or Ironing: A Cruel, Painful Practice Women Undergo Around The World

Breast ironing or breast pressing: Among the many cruel cultural practices women are subjected to across the world is breast ironing, also known as breast pressing or breast flattening. This brutal practice is majorly carried out in some African countries like Nigeria, and Cameroon. According to a report by the Africa Health Organisation , about 3.8 million women around the world undergo the painful act. Still, it is counted as one of the five under-reported crimes against women in the world.

Another Cruel Act Against Women

What Is Breast Ironing?

Under this brutal cultural practice, the breasts of young girls are ironed, massaged, or pounded down using a hard or heated object.

Why Is Breast Ironing Done?

Breast ironing is done to make the breasts disappear or delay the development of breasts in young girls. The act is carried out to protect girls from crimes like abduction, harassment, rape, early marriage.

Grim Reality Of Girls Around The Globe

At What Age Do Girls Undergo Breast Ironing?

Girls aged between 9-15 years old undergo the cruel practice. As per the AHO (Africa Health Organisation) report, most girls believe that the practice is being carried out for their good and often remain silent.

What Are The Health Consequences Of Breast Ironing?

The kind of instruments used during breast ironing, stones, breast bands, and brooms, put girls at a high risk of health problems like infection, cysts, tissue damage, and cancer among others. Not only physically, the practice also disturbs the social and psychological well-being of young girls.

Where Does Breast Ironing Happen?

Breast ironing is primarily practiced in regions of Cameroon, Chad, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo and Guinea-Conakry.

What Happens After Breast Ironing?

As per AHO, breast ironing remains a secret between the girl and her mother. The father usually remains unaware of the act. After breast ironing, young girls usually show unusual behaviour like missing school, and struggling with anxiety, and depression, some girls feel like asking for help but don't due to embarrassment, young girls also fear changing for physical activities after undergoing breast ironing because of their scars showing.

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Young Girls Deprived Of Basic Rights

Is There A Law Preventing Breast Flattening?

Unfortunately, there is no law protecting breast ironing in Africa even though it is a form of physical abuse. Young girls in these countries are denied their fundamental rights, the right to live a life free from abuse and, the right to live with dignity and free of gender discrimination. The act is carried out with the consent of young girls and it takes away their right to make decisions and have control over their bodies and lives.

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Even though breast ironing is condemned by many health organisations, it continues to be practised. It is bizarre that girls are made to undergo a painful act like this one to prevent them from gender-based violence like assault, sexual harassment, exploitation, and rape. Instead, efforts should be put in to change the societal attitude towards girls and women, promote consent education, challenge harmful stereotypes, empower women and marginalised communities, and hold perpetrators accountable. The need of the hour is for policymakers, governments, healthcare organisations, and communities together to come forth and put an end to the brutal act to protect the rights of girls and women. Don't you think?