FG, Abuja Community Sign MoU to End Breast Ironing Practice

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Pigba Community, Abuja Municipal Council for an immediate end to the practice of breast ironing for young girls.

Breast ironing, sometimes referred to as breast flattening is a harmful practice that involves the repetitive pounding, pressing, ironing, rubbing or massaging of a pubescent girl’s breast, often using hard or heated objects in order to stop or delay them from growing or developing.

During the signing ceremony at Pigba Community in Apo District, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the age-long harmful practice was inimical to the natural development of the girl child and must therefore be abolished.

“Breast ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as cancer, abscesses, itching, and discharge of milk, infection, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, breast infections, severe fever, tissue damage and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts” the minister said.

Kennedy-Ohaneye said the act traumatises the victims and affects their general wellbeing as future mothers, thus negating the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda which is tailored, among others towards ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians, including the girl child.

“We are here therefore to ensure that they stop maltreating the girls, as there is a law that addresses violence against women. We are trying to put an end to this so that they can live a better life” Kennedy-Ohanenye added.

Responding, the District Head, Garki Chiefdom, Chief Emmanuel Gade, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the minister, as well as management and staff of the ministry for their commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians, especially women and girls.

He assured that the community will put an end to the traditional practice in line with the policy objectives of the present administration.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of grinding and sewing machines to the community by the minister.