In this paper, we will focus on breast “ironing” in Cameroon. After brief information about the country, we will discuss the methods and the consequences of this practice. Subsequently, we will talk about the international and national policy and legal framework to finally see what is done to stop the further practice of breast “ironing”.
Violence against women is still a serious issue all around the world. Although the perpetrators are mostly men, there are also cases where the offenders are female. This is the case in some Western and Central African countries like in Chad, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Guina-Conakry, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Zimbabwe and mostly in Cameroon (Tapscott, 2012), where women do harm to their daughters in the form of breast “ironing”. This method consists of massaging, pressing or pounding the breasts flat with different objects like hot stones. The victims are mostly between eight and 12 years old (Tapscott, 2012) when their breasts begin to grow. The reason behind this practice is to prevent the young women to look feminine as long as possible to protect them from teenage pregnancies. Latter would mean no fully completed education and a social exclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background on Cameroon and Breast Ironing
3. Practice, Methods and Consequences of Breast Ironing
4. Legal Framework and Human Rights
5. Current Developments and Initiatives
6. Conclusion and Recommendations
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the harmful practice of "breast ironing" in Cameroon, exploring its historical origins, the methods employed, and its profound physical and psychological consequences on young girls, while evaluating the existing legal framework and the effectiveness of current social interventions.
- The socio-cultural rationale behind breast ironing as a preventive measure against early pregnancy.
- Methods and rituals used during the practice, including the use of heated objects and physical restraints.
- Consequences concerning human rights, physical health, and psychological well-being.
- International and national legal responses, focusing on CEDAW and CRC recommendations.
- The role of community-based organizations like RENATA in raising awareness and fostering change.
Excerpt from the Book
Practice, Methods and Consequences of Breast Ironing
Breast “ironing” is an old tradition according to Dr. Flavien Ndonko, who is a medical anthropologist. It was originally practiced as a medical measure for women to enhance the production of breast milk by massaging them (Tapscott, 2012; Koczy, 2007). However, since the late 1940’s, the target of the practice has changed. The society has expanded breast “ironing” to control the sexuality of young women, to spare them an early pregnancy (Koczy, 2007) and to protect them from rape and sexual assaults (Terre des Femmes, 2016). A significant reason for this is because the onset of puberty is increasingly earlier and the age of marriage later (Tapscott, 2012). The purpose of the practice therefore is to keep the young women physically childish as long as possible to allow them to finish school.
During the practice, a heated grindstone, pestle, or a wooden spatula and other heated objects are used to massage, press or pound the young girls’ breasts. The duration of application varies across the regions and ranges from a single application to applications one to two times a day during weeks or even months (Tapscott, 2012; Terre des Femmes, 2016). Additionally, an elastic band has to be worn around the breasts to prevent them from growing (Terre des Femmes, 2016).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the research, introducing breast ironing in Cameroon as a critical form of violence against women that requires urgent study.
2. Background on Cameroon and Breast Ironing: Provides demographic context on Cameroon and the initial emergence of breast ironing as a widespread social phenomenon.
3. Practice, Methods and Consequences of Breast Ironing: Details the violent techniques used in the practice and analyzes the diverse, long-term physical and psychological damages inflicted upon the victims.
4. Legal Framework and Human Rights: Examines Cameroon’s commitment to international treaties and the significant gaps in national legislation regarding the criminalization of the practice.
5. Current Developments and Initiatives: Highlights the efforts of NGOs and radio programs in educating communities and the observed shift in practice prevalence.
6. Conclusion and Recommendations: Synthesizes the findings and advocates for holistic, non-punitive strategies to empower young women and challenge the societal triggers for the practice.
Keywords
Breast ironing, Cameroon, gender-based violence, human rights, female adolescents, puberty, social control, reproductive health, psychological trauma, CEDAW, CRC, RENATA, sexual education, harmful practices, urbanization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the harmful practice of breast ironing in Cameroon, examining its prevalence, the reasons behind it, and the efforts to combat it.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the physical and psychological harm caused by the practice, the violation of human rights, and the role of social and legal institutions in addressing the issue.
What is the main objective of the study?
The objective is to understand the scope of breast ironing, evaluate the international and national responses, and propose effective ways to stop the practice.
Which scientific method is used?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis based on existing literature, reports from international bodies like CEDAW and the CRC, and data from NGOs such as GIZ and RENATA.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the methods of the practice, its health consequences, the legal landscape in Cameroon, and the impact of awareness campaigns.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as breast ironing, Cameroon, human rights, gender-based violence, and adolescent health.
How does urbanization influence the prevalence of breast ironing?
The study suggests that urbanization loosens traditional community control, leading to higher rates of breast ironing in cities like Douala, as parents feel less capable of protecting their daughters in an urban environment.
Why does the author argue against the simple criminalization of the practice?
The author argues that because mothers practice it to protect their daughters from sexual assault, penalizing them is not an effective long-term solution; instead, wider systemic change and sexual education are needed.
- Citation du texte
- Alissa Nagler (Auteur), 2016, Breast "Ironing". A harmful practice in Cameroon, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1286662
