UnderstandingBreast“Ironing”RebeccaTapscott
1
UNDERSTANDING BREAST “IRONING”:
A STUDY OF THE METHODS, MOTIVATIONS, AND OUTCOMES OFBREAST FLATTENING PRACTICES IN CAMEROON
ByRebeccaTapscottMay14,2012FeinsteinInternationalCenter
UnderstandingBreast“Ironing”RebeccaTapscott
2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was made possible by a generous grant from the Feinstein International Center. Iwould also like to acknowledge my appreciation for the support and contributions of thefollowing people and institutions.Plan Cameroon, particularly Judith Nkie, Nathalia Ngende, Georges Niatchak, and other Planstaff for their help designing research questions and translating documents. For my research inYaoundé, I would like to thank Dr. Flavien Ndonko of GIZ whose research and insightsinformed the bulk of my study, as well as Germain Ngo’o. I would also like to thank the womenof RENATA, notably the Executive Secretary Georgette Taku and Auntie Carlton Wright, who provided background information on the practice of breast flattening, and helped connect mewith both experts and victims. In Bafut, the Bafut Council and the Secretary General Mr. NgwaSamuel Cheneh supported my research and oversaw the coordination of many key interviews.Adeline Bih provided assistance with translation and companionship in the field. Plan’s YouthEmpowerment through Technology Arts and Media program in Bamessing translated keydocuments. I would also like to thank Anna Nebane and her family, who sponsored my stay inBafut. Marc Nene assisted with final translation on this report. At the Feinstein InternationalCenter, I thank Peter Walker for his feedback, and especially Dyan Mazurana for her editorialguidance and assistance in producing the final version of this report. I would also like to thank the many other local contacts and friends who offered their knowledge and insights, and madethis research possible.Breast “ironing” or “flattening” is a largely understudied practice. I deeply value any commentsor feedback from readers. These should be sent to <rebecca.tapscott@tufts.edu>
UnderstandingBreast“Ironing”RebeccaTapscott
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iRESUME vI. INTRODUCTION 1
A. Defining Breast Flattening 1
B. Methodology 3II. STUDY FINDINGS 5A. Origins of the Practice 5B.
Methods to Carry Out Breast Flattening 6
C. Practicing Groups and Individuals 9D.
Areas for Additional Research 11III. IMPACTS OF BREAST FLATTENING 11A. Biology of Normal Breast Development 11B. Impacts of Breast Flattening on Physical Health 13C. Impacts of Breast Flattening on Mental Health 14D. Impacts of Breast Flattening on Sexual Function 15E. Reflections on Reported Physical, Psychological, and Sexual Impacts 15IV. CONTEXT: MOTIVATIONS DERRIVING FROM EVOLVING &EXISTING SOCIAL CONDITIONS 18A. Changing Marriage Practices 18B. Control of Sexual and Reproductive Rights 20C. Unequal Power Relations between Girls and Men 23D. Understandings of Human Developmental Stages and Puberty 26V. BARRIERS TO CHANGE 27A. Existence of “Belief Traps” and Traditional Practices 27B. Limited Access to Alternative Options 29VII. APPROACHES TO END THE PRACTICE
30A. Advocacy Work by NGOs
30B. Existing and Proposed Legal Instruments 31VIII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 32APPENDIX A: LIST OF INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED IN CAMEROON 35APPENDIX B: INTERVIEW GUIDE 37
Search History:
Result 00 of 00
00 results for result for
p.
Understanding Breast Ironing
Breast “ironing” or “flattening” is a practice that impacts 1:4 Cameroonian girls and women, in which a heated object such as a grinding stone or pestle is used to massage or press a girl’s breasts to…
(More)
1.2K
Reads
0
Readcasts
2
Embed Views
More From This User
Notes
Load more
