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Ear to the Ground

Cameroon Girls Battle ‘Breast Ironing’

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Posted on Jun 23, 2006

In Cameroon, many mothers pound and “iron” flat the breasts of their daughters with heated bananas or coconut shells, hoping to discourage the sexual advances of males who see developed breasts as indicators of sexual maturity.

BBC:

A nationwide campaign is under way in Cameroon to discourage the widespread practice of “breast ironing”.

This involves pounding and massaging the developing breasts of young girls with hot objects to try to make them disappear.

Statistics show that 26% of Cameroonian girls at puberty undergo it, as many mothers believe it protects their daughters from the sexual advances of boys and men who think children are ripe for sex once their breasts begin to grow.

The most widely used instrument to flatten the breasts is a wooden pestle, used for pounding tubers in the kitchen. Heated bananas and coconut shells are also used.

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By Patrick Walker, June 24, 2006 at 10:22 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

You seem to be ignoring the fact that it is the women in this situation doing this horror based on only the assumption that their daughters even need to be protected in such a manner.

And to comment further, women have more then their fair share of influence. There are women Politicians , it even extends to Supreme Court Justices. Even presidential matters are at least somewhat influenced by women, you can’t tell me the first lady is completely without power over her husband. As for religion, well actually women do get the short end of the stick. The Bible in itself is one of the most sexist pieces of writing in existence, and many other if not all religions focus on blaming most things on women. So I have to agree with you on that.

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By Guitarsandmore, June 24, 2006 at 4:15 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The legal system in Cameroon is based on French civil law system, with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/cm.html

There does not seem to be any age of consent laws that I can find and that is the problem.  If there were enforceable laws to protect the children, mothers would not have to resort to mutilation. 

http://www.avert.org/aofconsent.htm

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By madeline steeg, June 23, 2006 at 9:55 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Disgusting beyond words! What has our world come to where women in horror try to save their daughters in this manner? Let us be honest - our world is dying because it has been in the hands of men. Men have been for centuries fighting other men for conquest. Why? Men have called the shots - in the military, in politics, in religion - for what? For their own betterment, for riches, for power. Fools all. They’ve forgotten (or fear?) woman’s god-given gift to create them, nurture them, love them. Our earth will, I think, die from this.

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