This map covers where Breast Ironing/Flattening is recorded to happen. This map has been developed from the study “Understanding Breast “Ironing”: A Study of the Methods, Motivations, and Outcomes of Breast Flattening Practices in Cameroon” by Rebecca Tapscott, 2012.
Section: Breast Flattening
Breast Ironing in Cameroon A harmful practice restricting sexuality or a means to protect the girl child from harm
The thesis presents the diversity in lived experiences of breast ironing and concludes that it is a practice with many meanings. It cannot simply be labelled a harmful practice, it needs also be understood as a means to protect the girl child from harm. Thus, breast ironing is a practice that seeks to protect the girl by aiming to decrease significations of femininity that breasts invokes. This in turn means that breast ironing is a practice that ultimately seeks to decrease the level at which the girl child is identified with femininity.
A Survivors Story – Breast Flattening (Ironing)
Listen to Lucy as she talks about her experience of Breast Ironing in Cameroon.
What is Breast Ironing (Flattening) – Video
This video covers: What is Breast Ironing? – Why do people practice it? – What are the health and legal consequences of the practice? – What are peoples safeguarding responsibilities?
Breast Flattening Leaflet
This leaflet can be downloaded and contains information about Breast Flattening (ironing) in the UK context. This leaflet can be used by professionals as well to understand what the risks and indicators may be.
Breast Ironing Factsheet
This fact sheet covers:
- What Breast Ironing is, prevalence and reasons for practice
- The law
- Risks and Indicators