Breast Ironing?

According to a UN report, there is a widespread practice in African countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa. It is called Breast ironing. Breast ironing is described as the brutal flattening of a young girl's developing chest to 'protect her from rape and sexual harassment'. Instruments used in this practice includes the use of large stones, a hammer or a spatula that has been heated over hot coals to compress or mutilate the breast tissue and make the adolescent look less 'womanly'. It is reported that the girl's mother is usually the abuser in 58 per cent of cases. The rationale for this practice is to prevent girls from developing breasts between 11 and 15 years old in the belief that a flat childlike appearance will discourage unwanted male attention and premarital pregnancy. The mother often warrants the ritual, removing signs of puberty, so her daughter can pursue education for longer rather than being seen as 'ready for marriage'.

This is shocking and news to me. It is great that the UN is exposing such practice. I am a bit sceptical about some aspects of this report. I also question the research methods used. This whole practice is strange and as an African descent, I have never heard of this practice. Puberty is fully encouraged and supported in many African countries. I am very interested to know which communities in the countries mentioned in the report practices this horrendous tradition. This practice needs to be stopped by government, civil society and non-governmental organisations immediately.