Breast Ironing

Countries in the industrialized “Western world” have their problems and are far, far from perfect, but one need not look too far and long each day to find reasons to be grateful to live where we do. Today I read a report on the use of “breast ironing” in West and Central Africa, a practice that is intended to hide or reduce the sexuality of young women in order to protect them from rape or other sexual abuse.

"Breast ironing" typically involves pressing a heated object, such as a grinding stone, against a young girl’s breasts to try to stunt their growth. Recent studies show it’s widespread in Cameroon, where one in four young girls is subjected to the traumatic process at the hands of relatives who are trying to lessen their sexual attractiveness. It’s estimated that four million women in Cameroon have suffered through this process, which is also a long-time practice in Chad, Togo, Benin, and Guinea-Conakry. Both the relatives and the victims believe that the procedure is a good thing.

Although counterintuitive, the practice has become more common in urban areas that in rural villages because the threat is seen to be greater in the cities and towns. Interestingly, in Cameroon it’s more common in the Christian-dominated south than in the Muslim-dominated north.

It comes as no surprise that this process has harmful side-effects, including severe pain and abscesses, infections, breast cancer, and the disappearance of one or both breasts. Cameroon has launched a nationwide educational program to advise people of the impacts and eradicate the practice, an effort similar to the campaign that dramatically reduced the equally horrific practice of female genital mutilation in that country.

It’s hard for us to understand the mix of fear and ignorance that leads to practices like this. They shock our conscience. Hopefully, once the stunned reaction passes, we realize anew the need for continual education and international outreach in third-world countries. Hearing about children being subjected to almost unspeakable "traditional" practices reminds us that countries like the U.S. can and should help support such educational and outreach programs.

When I think about “foreign aid” I tend to think about the pressing need for food, water, clothing, shelter and medicines, all of which are obviously essential for survival and minimal well being. But, when I think about female genital mutilation and breast ironing it doesn’t take long to realize the list of absolute essentials is longer.

Over the last few years, my wife and I have committed to including reputable international aid groups in our list of charitable donations. Money won’t solve everything but it’s something we can do now and it feels better than reading shocking news stories and then doing nothing about them. Unfortunately, there are a half dozen shocking news stories every day, which can quickly deplete all manner of resources. In the face of that problem, our default focal point has become children and the improvement of their health and well being.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Onward.