Abstract

This research investigated the practice of breast ironing as a gendered cultural phenomenon primarily observed in parts of Cameroon and other regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The study interrogates how socio-cultural norms, gender ideologies, and traditional mechanisms of control over female sexuality converge in this form of body modification. To achieve this aim, four research objectives and questions were raised. Data for the study were collated through secondary means and analysis was carried out through a multidisciplinary approach drawing on: Literature Review, Secondary Data analysis and the application of intersectional feminism and social-ecological models to interpret the socio-cultural dynamics underpinning breast ironing. The study revealed that the psychological toll on girls and young women—including feelings of shame, anxiety, and depression—significantly undermines their mental health and self-esteem and physiologically, breast ironing can cause severe health issues, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention Also the justifications for the practice are rooted in societal beliefs about purity and protection, reflecting a cultural narrative that prioritizes female modesty over individual well-being and that legal responses remain inadequate, with many national laws failing to explicitly address breast ironing, despite international human rights discourse condemning it. It was therefore recommended that empowering women through education and advocacy can challenge these harmful norms, ultimately fostering healthier and more equitable practices for future generations.

Keywords: Breast ironing, breast flattening, gender-based violence, intergenerational transmission, cultural relativism, female body control, anxiety, depression, psychological trauma, low self-esteem, consent, legal awareness, awareness campaigns, policy reforms