Protect Young Women and Girls from Breast Ironing in Cameroon
- van: Care2
- ontvanger: Mr. Amadou Ali, Minister of Justice, 1000 Yaounde, Cameroon; Mr. Jerome Mendouga, Ambassador, 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Breast ironing, the traditional practice of massaging or pressing the breasts of adolescent girls in order to suppress the growth of the breasts, is shockingly widespread in Cameroon where one in four teenagers are subjected to the traumatic process by relatives.
Girls as young as eight years old are 'ironed' by their own mothers using a heated stone, with the belief that breast ironing will help these girls and young women avoid sexual harassment and rape. Even the victims themselves think it is good for them.
This form of mutilation has many side-effects, including severe pain and abscesses, infections, breast cancer, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
Sign now to speak out for the rights of women and girls in Cameroon. Urge the Government of Cameroon to carry out immediate efforts to educate mothers and girls about the dangers of "breast ironing" and to take urgent steps to eradicate it.
To the government of Cameroon:
I was shocked to find out "breast ironing" is still a common practice in Cameroon.
This form of mutilation has many side-effects, including severe pain and abscesses, infections, breast cancer, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
Like in the case of female genital mutilation, this cruel practice puts the lives of young women and girls at risk, even if the victims themselves think undergoing these procedures is for their own good.
Please do everything in your power to protect the physical integrity and human rights of these young girls. I urge you to carry out immediate efforts to educate mothers and girls about the dangers of "breast ironing" and to take urgent steps to eradicate it.
Thank you in advance for your attention. Please keep me informed regarding any developments in your efforts to end this awful practice.
