Petition: End Breast Ironing in Cameroon
by Breese | April 18, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Target: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
Sponsored by: Care2.com
In a desperate attempt to prevent sexual assault and teen pregnancy, Cameroonian mothers are literally ironing their daughters' breasts with hot stones to make them less attractive.
Breast ironing is not an acceptable form of pregnancy prevention or a replacement for sex education.
The ritual affects a quarter of all women in Cameroon and as soon as they show signs of puberty, sometimes as young as nine. The girls cry as they're held down and scalding hot stones are pressed onto their breasts.
The possible damage of this practice can be severe, including bruises, deformities, abscesses, and even the disappearance of one or both breasts.
Cameroon mothers may think breast ironing is "for their [daughters'] own good," but it's not the way to prevent sexual violence and early pregnancy. Urge UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to speak out against breast ironing and to advocate for adequate sex education in Cameroon.
Comments
Breast ironing
I am a Cameroonian, and though i have not seen any such cases, i am strongly against such practice and urge mothers to let their girls develop normally.
Blessings,
Kate.
very sad indeed
very sad indeed, Africa culture is violating women rights and nothing justify such act .perpetrators should be apprehend and face in the international criminal court.
Every One, Every Day ,Every Way, Prevent Vi0lenCE AgainST W0men On YouR Way!
Signed petition!
Signed petition!
It so real!
You all will never guess what i came across yesterday; a mother who wants to iron her 13 years old daughters` breast! she said they were too big and truly,they were! it's all so real out here.Someone help!
Bih M.B. Mbuya