Breast Ironing Implements Are Warmed Before Pounding Girls' Chests

Child Abuse in Cameroon and Africa: Breast Ironing Mutiliates Nearly 4 Million Girls Yearly

Childhood abuse through a traditional cultural practice called "Breast Ironing" mutilates 4 million young girls a year. The practice, intended to iron" the breasts of young girls during puberty in an attempt to hide them or to make them disappear entirely, is often practiced by parents on their daughters to prevent them from becoming sexually attractive to men.

A United Nations Population spokesman, quoted in an online piece in Metro.co.uk (June 30th, 2008), says: "Breast ironing is terribly painful and violates a young girl's physical integrity. It exposes girls to abscesses, infections, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts."

"This form of mutilation could not only have negative health consequences for the girl, but also often proves futile when it comes to deterring teenage sexual activity."

Many mothers who allow their daughters to be subjected to breast ironing often don't want their daughters' breasts to grow out of fear that men will be sexually attracted to their daughters.

The practice of breast ironing is widespread in central and west Africa, particularly in Cameroon where 25% of young girls often have to endure this horrible form of sexual mutilation. Apparently in poorer urban areas this statistic is closer to 50%.

As this practice is especially prevalent in Cameroon activists there are undertaking a nationwide campaign to eliminate this culturally condoned mutilation of young girls.

Help stop the practice of breast ironing. Voice your opposition to the government of Cameroon by signing an online petition today @: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/browse-petitions/all

By SabahKid

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