The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast ironing'.

In Cameroon where the practice is most widespread, 50% of adolescent girls in cities and a quarter of all girls nationwide have their breasts 'ironed,' often by their mothers.

The 'ritual' is performed by massaging the girls' chests with heated objects like stones, in order to reverse their pubescent development. The mums say it's driven by fear of unwanted male attention, rape and pre-marital pregnancies.
More http://current.com/items/88852332_breast-ironing.htm


-- Edited by MZJ on Thursday 7th of January 2010 04:51:13 AM